This doesn't meet current regulations if you are using for home (unless you install in a fire resistant enclosure)

Are these still available?

OOS everywhere ?

If these don't meet current (excuse pun) regulations, how are wickes or anyone else able to sell these?

Agree. RCBOs are a better option. Have had a few lazy leccys in Derry complain about RCBOs were over the top. They just couldn't be bothered to do the proper testing when faulty wiring or appliances tripped an RCBO.

You will need a condition report done before any work will take place aswell.
If it was me this would happen.
Condition report
Move board and replace with new and anything in the property will be sorted aswell under the condition report and new installation certs.

Your sparks should know that he cannot issue an installation cert to a new install unless it complies with regs, which at the moment means RCD protection and metal enclosure. The real question you should be asking yourself is where should I relocate it too. If its getting wet constantly the enclosure material is almost a moot point.

Dependant on meter location get a sparks to extend the tails (outgoing) to relocate your board to a dry area and fit a metal enclosure pop with RCBO's. Chances are you probably have an undersized earth as well (very common on old installs), get it fixed at the same time.

You will fix all your issues in one fell swoop while eliminating your nuisance trips, protect against shock / overcurrent and fire reduction.

I've been told but I can't prove it but the change to metal was instigated and pushed for by the fire brigade because of the increasing amount of house fires cause by fuseboards going on fire. it think this is seen as an attempt to contain the fire.

With respect, i perhaps would seek the advice of an electrician conversant with current regulatory requirements.
The old wooden frame, bakerlite (usually missing) backed, rewirable fuse, distribution units do not comply on so many levels in both accessory compliance and (domestic) circuit protection.
That is not to say that the fuse wont operate under short circuit condition only, given high enough fault current/low enough earth path which is about the only going for them.

Funny you say that as I had an qualified electrian claims that there is nothing wrong with old Wylex fuse boxes as plenty of old homes will still have them but suggest to change some rewirable fuses for trip MCB ones as at least you would know what appliance is causing issues unless you want to bring it up to current regulations specs.

My fuse box is in the cellar (it's an old end terrace house) where it can be damp during heavy rain & metal boxes can be and are prone to rust like a lot of old housing stocks that UK still have. People do move around between homes over ones lifetime & who is to know where all the old wiring is routed between floors & walls.

What's wrong with good old solid hard plastics fuse boxes that the regulations had to bloody change/update? Surely the option of plastic & metal fuse boxes would be ideal for both old & new housing stocks otherwise why would we have the option to retrofit MCB's. Just another new regulation force upon for new money spinner.

To sparkies out there, got one of those old wired Wylex consumer boxes I want to keep (nothing wrong with old box) but with the rewirable fuses in the basement cellar that can suffer damp during heavy rain.

Are these MCB's the plug-in types for direct replacement? Would like the option of trip without having to remove all rewirable fuses for indentification in the dark.

I'll be keeping the old rewirable fuses as I can repair them with ease. Wire fuses are so cheap compare to moulded MCB.

Sparky told me these are fine but must go into a metal cabinet to meet current regs.

to comply the enclosure must be all metal including the flap unless in a fire proof cabinet. you can buy a 10 way complaint enclosure off eBay for about £27 and then populate it with a deal like this if you can be bothered.

This doesn't meet current regulations if you are using for home (unless you install in a fire resistant enclosure)

1 in Yeovil and 1 in Cirencester apparently to far for me.

Limited stock (1 or 2 units) in Darlington, Macclesfield, Cirencester, Yeovil, Broadstairs, Hailsham and Eastbourne

Not a bad price at all for the MK guts.

Also available in some stores for £19.99:-
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wylex-10-Way-Flexible-Hi-integrity-Consumer-Unit/p/106796

Handy if you just want the parts .