Doug, its not that difficult to get the paperwork sorted with a little common sense, its more inconvenient than anything. i think now though you also need to have a criminal background check something you didnt up untill recently. However you have always had to have a student visa as its considered schooling. you couldn't just jump on a plane with a return ticket for 6 weeks later and take up your flying on arrival though.

Its had a direct effect on me, as I was considering travelling to the States for a week in the Summer to complete my PPL whilst Mrs C gets a tan. Hey ho, no chance of that happening now, although I wonder if my job may lift some of the restrictions?

Charlie i have just gone through the extra crap for this new rule and while a little more complicated its not going to require a trip to the states before hand for the finger prints. There is a registered office at Farnbourough for this now.
http://www.tsc-csc.com/printoffices/GetAirportInfo.cfm?printofficeid=659

Charlie if you are wanting to do this, this summer i would start applying now it can take upto two months to get an appointment with the US embassy and a further week for your passport to be returned to you visa stamped.

I gather that a PPL from the US is the same as one from the UK? would you have to fill out any paper work or do a checkride to get your license in the UK after earning it in the US?

The final phase of the course involves a skills test with the chief examiner, something that everyone finds nerve-wracking. The test is designed to consolidate the procedures that have been learned and to ensure that you are safe to fly. Preparation for the test includes planning a cross-country flight, including checking weights and balances for the aircraft. The flight will include a diversion to another airfield and an engine failure that requires a forced landing. Other 'manoeuvres' include slow flight, stalls, tight turns and flapless landings, amongst others. Once you have passed the skills test, you have 'cracked it.' The only remaining thing is to process the application forms for despatch to the CAA, together with the appropriate fee (currently £201). A couple of weeks thereafter, you will receive your much-coveted Private Pilot's Licence.

Looking back, I can honestly say that I had a great time in America and it was one of those life-changing events that I will always remember. In my opinion the pros of flying in America far outweigh any cons and I would recommend this option to anyone who can spare the time and who has the sense of adventure to try something a little different. Finally, taking your PPL course is a bit like taking your driving test: it is only once you are qualified that the real challenge, and the fun, begins!

Just thought I'd throw in that the first time I went up I did basically everything except land, and that was on my discovery flight.  So it depends on you and your instructor.  Zack knew I had hundreds of hours on FS, and let me do everything with supervision.