The RN (cleverly) sent a number of its FW pilots to the USA to fly for a few years. One has to ask for justification for this on going cost.
Also - RN maintains the RN Fixed Wing Standards outfit. With no RN fixed aircraft to fly or fixed wing role for many years, how do you justify that?
1. The RN is to receive a carrier sometime in the next few years, and perhaps even some aircraft to launch from it. The cost of re-gaining the skills is much more expensive than the cost of maintaining them.
2. FRADU.