I think it's the only way things can get back to normal.
Disruption and plummeting morale within the unit, apparently caused by the arport Management, has allegedly caused so many ATCOs to leave that they can no longer provide a fully staffed H24 commitment.
However, NATS usually like to take on not only ATC but also ATC engineering as well which can make it a very expensive contract, equally not having to worry about staffing and running the unit would be a big relief to the Airport Company.
Lurking123 - I'm not sure how you think the service will be degraded, do you think that when the existing staff transfer to NATS or when new staff join they go through a deprogramming process to make them less professional?
Classicwings: Don't worry, you'd have the same opportunity to join NATS as an ATSA at Newcastle as anyone else would under the current regime.
If you were good enough to be trained by NCL as an ATCO, the same will apply regarding your chances of getting a Cadetship with NATS, if you aren't it won't happen.