As I understand it there will be no changes to the existing PPL when it transfers to EASA. I don't actually think the EASA PPL is viewed as the commercial route, I think in the future it will see the prospective commercial guys going direct into the MPL without ever touching a light aircraft. One good thing to come out of is the end of the hours builders, which will hopefully drive the career instructor market and make it attractive enough for people to want to do it as a career.
I don't know about the Pan European permit thing, one of our PFA types might know more on that.