Re the FRTOL - for microlights (ie the NPPL(M)) it is not a requirement to get the FRTOL to be qualified, so it has to be examined separately and applied for separately.
As Backpacker said Annex II aircraft which include microlights will only need a national licence. If the goal is purely recreational flying I'd strongly recommend going the microlight route - the best value aviation for fun that there is.