I can certainly say that I have seen very little of what you describe in the UK tech scene at least certainly not up in the North East where I am - perhaps London is different but I can't believe it is that different.
And as far as "dirty students sinking up the lab goes", this is more likely an isolated case rather than the prevailing norm in my experience.
And as far as "dirty students sinking up the lab goes", this is more likely an isolated case rather than the prevailing norm in my experience.