Britain does have a peculiar tendency to generate stupid pointless jobs
and fill them with people who take themselves really seriously (but never realise they are pointless, or that a pragmatic approach is called for).
Look at the way ISO9000 has been embraced, right down to trade suppliers of bog rolls.
The other day we got a health and safety inspection at work. I have only a small place, 3 people total, 2 exit doors and about 10 windows. The arrogant idiot, straight out of a TV comedy (Capt Manwaring of Dad's Army) and holding the obligatory clipboard, said "where is the fire escape"? Zero sense of humour and zero latitude.
I am currently based at an airport where there is no real security (although they like to think so) so things are OK. But it could get much worse - it could be Norwich, where they confiscate your toothpaste
The security bill at Norwich must be in £ millions just on salaries. Anybody wanting to get in can just climb over the fence.
I am reliably informed that wearing a pilot uniform is highly effective in this respect. A shame it makes one look like a right d*ck (in the UK).