Old Man Rotor,
Overall, I don't disagree with what you say. However, the requirement for full EOLs has been in UK requirements for ever, for singles anyway. So for the UK, the JAR makes little difference.
There was at least one training school that used to avoid EOLs (I am sure that there may be others). As a visiting examiner, I did a PPL test on one student there who went very pale when I asked for an EOL. I de-briefed the owner after the test, but they continued to ban EOLs "for insurance reasons". I did no more tests there. They went bust owing people a lot of money a short time later (not suggesting these were necessarily linked).
I think it is very much a matter of practice and currency - I would not want to do a practice EOL at the moment except dual with a current FI, as I am way out of practice (as I fly twins these days).