I can obviously empathize with you and with your partner even more,however thats the deal with all freshly qualified pilots,it has become even worse in the past few years since alot of pilots are willing to self fund their own type,thus giving the airlines good reason to request it so.
I finished my training up to MCC in July 2006 and was and still am in no position to fund a type rating, only last week have i signed a contract after a long stint as a professional CV dispatcher.
Just a thought...has your partner been probably aiming to high in his job search or limiting his options to the UK market.? i used to apply for anyjob from small turbo prop operators to huge airlines.
Just hang in there and good luck.
P.S. i found
www.ppjn.com to be a lifesaver.