"What we have is 21st century technology, being regulated by 19th century regulation".
That pretty much says it all.
Jusy how do the Americans do it?
We have a miriad of "recency" and "renewal" requirements that require a "cray" computer to keep track of, which burdens an intrument rated pilot with enormous costs. Yet in America apparently one simple recency requirement is required. Just about every American pilot I know has undertaken training to gain an instrument rating, they are encouraged to do so because it makes them safer. Here the cost burden of overregulation positively discourages it.
Are we any safer than the US? debatable, but one thing is for sure, the burden of overregulation is killing our industry.