1) They are looking for a UE of 16 aircraft for the frontline squadrons, not 14.
2) The proportion required for attrition over the whole anticipated lifespan is far greater than you infer. Remember that they thought that they needed at least 173 F.Mk 3s to equip a similar number of squadrons for a much shorter period.
3) I can absolutely assure you that the 232 aircraft figure was worked out and is not political - or was not until the number of units to be re-equipped went from 7 to 6 frontline squadrons.
4) With a unit cost excluding R&D (which has already been irrevocably spent or committed) of £42 m, the Typhoon is not the ultra-expensive aircraft you claim. It's more than a JSF (just) or a Gripen or an F-16, but isn't much more than an F/A-18E/F and is cheaper than a Rafale, F-15 or F-22.
5) My lurking worry is still that it won't be much cop in the air-to-ground role, and will be very late, though people who ought to know keep telling me I'm being too pessimistic.