My brother however is not so lucky. He has been asked to pay £18k up front despite his 2000 hours experience and only get a temporary contract. He has had to borrow my (retired) mums life savings to do.
You say that as though your brother has any significant experience. Two thousand hours is about the time to move on from flight instructing and find that first piston freight job somewhere. It's not very much. Perhaps it's a case of greed. Everyone wants it all now.
You're absolute right, those who get greedy muddy the waters for everyone. No surprise there; it's been going on for decades.