I don't think keeping a non-combatant aircraft flying (and not just in the UK) is a cheap way to do anything really. There is no way the airships could defend or justify such an expense (because that is what it is to the beancounters - like it or not) with all that is happening. This has to have been sat in 'the back pocket' for any talk of financial trimmings in town and pulled out when needed. Still a poor way of dealing with it.
I hope happy hr at Coningsby is a big one on Friday.