Correct me but I believe BA/Virgin cover the cost of their type rating training anyway!
They effectively don't under the guise of the cadetship. They spin it by saying they are giving people a chance but really they just want the wannabes cash before its spent at another airline.
With regards to the degree grant etc. Maybe the government should get more heavily involved and regulate yearly numbers of how many can train? The schools and airlines wont like that of course.