Seems to me that dangling 85k is inevitably going to attract a percentage of people motivated PURELY by the money, however surely this kind of person would not tolerate earning 10k for 9 months?
Even on 10k a year with a family etc, there is always a way to make it work. Problem being, you'll probably have to take financial risks, uproot your kids etc etc. Some folk won't be willing to take such a big chance when loved ones lives are directly affected. This is no indication of their ability or potential to be a good controller. So the 10k starting wage will stop a number of perfectly able candidates from applying which can't be beneficial to NATS. However, as has been previously mentioned, there are plenty of professions where you get paid little or nothing during training. Personally I think it stinks but it hasn't stopped me from starting in March .(Mr Barclaycard gonna take a hammering for 9 months methinks!)
