As an ex RAF pilot, it's obvious to me that some RAF controllers do routinely "over stretch" their actual authority to control. On one route I take, I sometimes contact ATC (or get handed over) to transit the MATZ at a certain well known Lincolnshire base but normally get given a "clearance" to fly at an altitude that puts me above the MATZ, rather than through it. It's very obvious that more often than not there are no other aircraft to affect my transit through. By putting you outside it absolves them of any actual controlling.
This time of year, it may put aircraft into icing conditions... beware!