Slipstream86,
At this stage it is my educated guess that you will still have to spend upwards of twenty grand to get the full rating. My advice to you will be to sit on the money for the meantime and see how this downturn goes. Or better still you can go to America and do your hour building at a significant cost reduction from UK.
Furhter down the line you would have met several pilots along the way who will give you a realistic view of the industry if you are unwilling to believe what you are beign told on these forums.