Folks, I don't know much about ATC, but I know a lot about management.
A while ago, someone, somewhere, decided to take a decision which would save money. Money was saved and he was rewarded handsomely. Downstream folk who pondered the wisdom of the money saving were ignored.
Now it's all gone Tango Uniform. But don't worry about our chap. He's retired on a mega-pension.
You know it makes sense.