Why not bin a GR-4 sqn instead?
'They' have. Or more precisely, 'they' have axed 15 crews from the GR4 force - approximately 2 per squadron. This achieves similar savings to axing an entire squadron (typically 14 crews) without any of the negative headlines. And who's to say that the GR4 force will escape any future defence review unscathed?
I am not bashing the GR4 community at all, they dig out blind for us and provide a sterling service
I think you answered your own question there. The GR4 may not be specifically designed for CAS in the same way the Harrier was, but it gets the job done, especially now that PW4 and DMS Brimstone are in service. As pr00ne said, we're broke, and we can't afford the luxury of a single-role fast jet - which (to an extent) is what the Harrier is. It can't touch the GR4's reconnaissance capability and is of much lesser utility in a traditional "full war" scenario. Meanwhile, the GR4 is achieving the task in Afghanistan (a task that has changed in nature since the Harrier force left, thanks to the intervention of Gen McChrystal).
Arguments about RN vs RAF politics and future control of the F-35 fleet are a different matter, don't even go there!