Some people here are confusing the UK with abroad.
Sure, PPR is a phone call in the UK, so no big deal (except the "PPR only by phone" bit which is just obvious bollox, for any airfield which actually has a radio).
It's different abroad, where (taking the case of an "international" airport) only ATC is obliged to speak English. The ground staff doesn't need to, and often doesn't, and this is why PPR is so irritating. It can take days of emailing, faxing, etc, to sort out PPR in many places. For preplanned trips like holidays, I usually start a few weeks ahead.