figure i heard was 125 pilots leaving (cpt +fo), secondhand info, but from someone i would expect to know. but who really cares, this is normal. you get a better offer, then you leave.
a look in the back of flight international the last few weeks shows that airlines outside the uk are beginning to hire, although our carriers are all still dead in the water. however, the international nature of ryanairs pilot workforce (with plenty of guys commuting during days off), means that there is no attachment to the uk or ireland or anywhere. flying in the sandpit would mean a big move for a brit, but for someone who's commuting to the uk from the far side of europe or is already living abroad, not really.