Has the UK Eliminated the Right to Self Defense?

I am pretty much a true moderate on the issue of gun control. I have no love of guns and tend to dislike the thought of them in the hands of every Tom, Fred, and Harry, but at the same time I do not like excesive gun control laws that only leave them in the hands of criminals. The Straight Dope has up a question on violence in the UK that is raises some questions for the first time in my experience.

I read an article claiming that as weapon-control laws in England become ever tighter, the crime rate is increasing--that over the past 80 or so years the British government has enacted policies making it harder for individuals to carry any kind of weapon for self-defense, with the result, it was claimed, that you are now six times more likely to be mugged in London than in New York. In addition, you can receive a stiff sentence for defending yourself even if a burglar has invaded your home. One case cited was that of Tony Martin, who lived alone in a rural area. He had been robbed six times before. Mr. Martin's home was broken into again, and he shot and killed one burglar and wounded the other. He was jailed for harming the burglars and later was denied parole because he posed a danger to burglars. Given that the author was an American, and the article in a somewhat conservative periodical, I wondered how much spin had been put on the facts. Is England indeed becoming a haven for burglars while aged pensioners cower in their cottages?

Cecil's answer is long, but less than satisfying. It comes down to "No, but I don't have much of a better answer." Somehow I think limiting the answers to gun control is too simplistic, but you have to admit that violent crime has been decreasing in the USA while it increases in the UK. Maybe there are some American measures that could benefit the Brits. Then again, maybe it is all about the Economy.