Yeah?
I always under the impression that sugar aside from priming was a big no no!
Ah well I stand corrected on that one.
However I still standby that kit yeasts dissolve malt fine, and after 50+kits using boosters that contain malt I'll stand by that.
I won't disagree with you on the kit yeasts dissolving malts. I do like the saf yeasts for preference myself but that's a personal thing.
The sugar thing is a total myth. The use of cheap castor sugar in an effort to reduce costs totally for years probably led to this. And it is true that you don't want to overdo it and that you do get a better flavour from grains and malt, but it can be used. I've also used brown sugar of various levels with good effect.
I've heard it said that sugar has no place in a beer with a OG of 1048 or less but I think just about anything in brewing is a matter of personal taste. I certainly think that sugar isn't something you want to overdo, but it has its place.
Belgian beers rely heavily on the use of sugar for higher gravity beers that still have a lighter body and mouthfeel.