They have (had) zero power to change anything!
Ah poor didums ! Actually no not so poor and not without the power of choice despite all the navel gazing about Western economies.
How did they get £120k debts in the first place? Selling big issue?
Whilst the regulators, big flight schools, pilot shortage journos and loco managers and the likes of BALPA have the largest responsibility, the self funded cadets share some of the blame game for being taken in by the former.
Now you either have to have 3000h heavy type with 500h recency on exact model of aircraft or 150000usd to spend on an MPL.
The sensible middle ground/apprentiship route has become a wasteland. Those from non heavy Mil backgrounds, GA and commuter/tp airlines are ignored with predictable results for all concerned.