Paying for sex is not illegal in the UK. What is illegal is to patrol the streets looking for prostitutes. But you can hire an escort no problem. I think it's a good thing because most people can get sex if they really try without needing to pay for it. But some people with severe facial disfigurments or severely disabled, it makes it very hard for them to get sex. Also some people are very socally awkward. It's better someone pay for sex then rape an innocent person, and whilst most people wouldn't do that if paying for sex was illegal, a few might be tempted.