Yes, I suppose it all boils down to money and NATS attitude to GA.
Just across the Channel in France, what a difference in attitude. Full Radar FIS countrywide coverage, allowing VFR at +500ft levels in Airways, danger area, low flying, parachuting activity, etc. etc. real time info. Quite often it appears one is working the local low level airways controller, rather than the FISO type, provided in the UK.