"I'm sure that those involved will once again be able to explain the critical gap that the ac fills."
and the treasury will say what are you willing to give up to pay for it? as A4 says above - the decision is financial not operational.
The Govt desperately need to balance the books - in fact they have to CUT even more to be able to cut taxes before the next election as they believe that 's the only thing that will keep them in power.