Yes its true the CAA have messed it up again, following is a statement from the BMAA's head honcho Chris Finnigan:-
The CAA have recently stated that they will no longer add a rating to an old UK PPL (A) or PPL (M). There is currently no route for someone holding a NPPL with microlight or any other rating to become an instructor, although this was a "deferred item" from the 15 NPPL Steering Group meetings it took to launch the NPPL. By "deferred item" I mean one of a range of issues of some complexity where there was a significant degree of disagreement between NPPL Steering Group member organisations to the extent that trying to resolve them all before launching the NPPL would have held it up for another couple of years and probably scuppered it altogether.
We have pointed out in writing to the CAA on more then one occasion that this particular issue needs resolving quickly, and await a reply. If we haven't received one shortly, we may consider asking the Pilot's Licensing Policy Group to take this up with the Minister at the Department of Transport in their next meeting before the end of November. This lobbying Group compromises some very big hitters in the UK Flight Training Industry, many of them GAMTA (General Aviation Manufacturers and Traders Association) members, who have access at Ministerial level. I am a founder member of this group on behalf of the BMAA and, although we have had little involvement with its workings so far because they have largely been dealing with JAR licensing issues, I keep in touch with what they are doing and with those involved, one of whom is also a BMAA member.
We have also encouraged those affected to write to the Head of Personnel Licensing Division at the CAA and at least one microlight FIC instructor who wishes to train AFIs this winter has sent in a very strongly worded letter involving terms along the lines of restriction of trade and prevented from earning a living.
We expect this will concentrate some minds at Gatwick.
I am confident we will get this resolved, but can't predict exactly when.
Although the above is about adding instructor ratings, the CAA have also stopped adding Microlight ratings to all licenses, they have taken the stand piont that if you want to fly Micro's then you need to get the NPPL........ :-(
Adeos