What a total load of crap!
Talk about having their heads up their preverbial. Looks like the Brits are lacking commonsense again. No. 1 being their requirements for gaining UK/JAA licence conversions from an ICAO licence.
If they want to come out of the dark ages they (the authorities)need to make it easier for the flow of GA aviation to and from their island.
Australia, New Zealand and the USA can do it, why not the poms.