Thanks for your clear explanation flybywire - once again PPRuNe has improved my education.
This sounds to me as though the UK needs to catch up with our friends on the continent. It would be interesting to know which countries follow the Italian example (you mention Spain and France) and which follow the UK by allowing each company to 'roll their own'. These days, when it seems like new passenger airlines are starting up every other week, am I alone in finding it a little disturbing that they're allowed to self-examine their CC for proficiency?