BEagle, the lack of take up is nothing to do with the industry providing poor marketing. It is simply a case of it being a waste of time unless there is a medical reason why you can't get a JAR PPL.
The reduced hours is irrelevant as how many complete the PPL in 45 hours? Very few apart from youngsters going for flying as a career and what use is an NPPL to them? None.
So why go for an NPPL in the first place? I struggle to think of a reason why anyone would. If I can't think of one, then why would a student, especially as it limits what they may want to do in the future.
I personally don't think it serves any purpose at all apart from allowing people who cannot pass a class 2 medical to get airborne. Is that a good thing? Probably, but it does make a mockery of having a medical in the first place.
If people really want to help flying in the UK, stop mucking about with licences and lobby to have the tax taken off AVGAS. That'll make a much bigger difference.