Lets hope that it is part of a move to make all ICAO compliant medicals acceptable for use with ICAO licences. I would much prefer to pay $50 for my FAA Class 3 than £250 for a CAA Class 2
Hmm. Next time before your JAA class 2 expires, go to Prague for short holiday and do the medical there, for 3000 CZK, ie about GBP 100, plus say, 20 quid on top to have FAA class 3 (maybe even 2 if you ask nicely and fall within limits) for the same set of exams. You can also do Canadian medical as well, though not sure it'll be for the same price, probably.
Yeah. 250 for medical for private flying?? Crazy. Czech JAA Class 1 is about that price or touch less in Prague. But then, it's stricter than UK CAA at the mo.
Downside is bit of a queueing if you don't show up early morning as they have some 1 or 2hr cut-off times for blood taken and results brought back. But then, when you come before noon, all the 'first stops' in the tour are free. I was there on Monday last February, so bit of a wait. But all OK.