I think quite a few instructors forget the main basic objective of the PPL, to produce a qualified pilot that can carry passengers safely within the limitations of their low experience.
Whether you, as an instructor, think that the HASELL check shouldnt be done or not shouldnt really influence your decision to give a student the safety net of such a check and allow him to make the choice of whether such a check is relevant, based on his capability and experience, rather than yours. Low hour pilots still need a duty of care especially when an instructor isnt directly involved after licence issue.
Lack of H has killed quite a few pilots with steep turn manoevres and recently killed a student and instructor in a Tomahawk with slow flying-would you be happy for your student to be doing a series of steep turns in a Tommy at 2000 feet over a built up area without having a lookout?
How many PPL after getting their license make straight for the local area and their houses and guess what they do over them sometimes at around a 1000 feet or even lower.
The fact that the skills test calls for a 45 degree turn doesnt mean that 60 degree turns cannot be taught and practiced and it will not stop the more adventurous pilot after PPL either trying them out at low level and exceeding 45 degrees especially with the distraction of looking at or trying to photograph something at low level.
Mis handled steep turns can lead to loss of control and any exercise that involves a potential loss of control needs some form of memory jog safety check beforehand.