Northern that last statement is the crux of the matter.
The whole thing is set up to allow control in uncontrolled airspace.
And takes zero account for what flight rules that someone is operating under.
By the very nature of the way the services are designed it creats instant clash of interests and conflict when those interests don't align.
The fact of the matter is that there has been an increase in airproxs to the users of the service.
As for the hammering of ppl student and exams. We train them for european wide operations and the syllabus is already full with handling and navigation.
Not that most ATCO's qualified in the last 15 years would have a clue what its like to have thier backsides strapped to a old heap being subjected to a fis or basic service.
Which is why an increasing amount of pilots have decided that participating in a service is pointless with no gain in safety to ourselves.
And you having a laugh if you think the whole of europe is going to instruct all its pilots in the perversion which is ATSOCAS in the UK. Never mind the rest of the world.