<<Mind you, in the UK you expect to get a right seat with your experience and quals, but that's the JAR world for you.>>
This is a common misconception among folks in Australia. It just does not happen like that any more. Maybe the odd 200hr guy gets lucky into the right seat of a jet, but that is very rare, and these days it is now unheard of. There are many experienced turbo prop/jet capts & f/o's still out of work, and a whole army of wannabes waiting on the call.
Please do not make the UK out as some sort of 'Pilots panacea', it is just not so, and there are many ozmates in that country fliping burgers with massive debt.