Originally Posted by 172driver
Seriously - none of this would be necessary if the UK had a proper countrywide FIS available to VFR flights like all other countries I've ever flown in. Anywhere else you can call up xxxinfo (center, radar), request FIS / Flight Following, get a squawk and are on your way.
You misunderstand the type of service you're requesting. In the UK (There is no such service as flight following) a Flight Information Service is not a radar service, you will not normally be given a squawk. If you want a radar service then you need to ask for one, either Radar Information or Radar Advisory of the appropriate unit.
HTH
BD