You know, I'm not sure that we all watched the same programme! I got the distinct impression from watching 'that programme' that I didn't exist for a start. ATC seems to be split between 'civil' area ATC and NV, NT, SH and PD approach. Ummmm, so what about all those so beautifully red-shaded bits on your map BBC where ATSOCAS are provided (generally) by military units, be they terminal or area????
33 nms to get round to P18? Can't increase the cost overheads that much. The problem occurs not so much when you get pilots who obviously don't have that great a grasp of English, but pilots who don't have a clue what TOS they're being provided, or even that they're off-route. If civil airlines are going to 'persuade' their pilots to fly IFR in class G airspace, they should at least ensure that the pilots are briefed effectively as to THEIR and my responsibilities to their transit. Should some of these guys really be allowed to fly in class G? Do their passengers know that they're doing it??