Glad,
A slightly pedantic point on 'who is paying'.
On this engine issue, P&W are footing the bill. On the engine development, the UK's share of development costs is a fraction of what we would have paid RR to do the job. For what it's worth, I think the UK Government should have pressed the US Government much harder (and paid if necessary) to keep the F136 alternate engine option open. However, water under the bridge and all that.
Arm waving is, of course, a democratic right. Third Amendment and all that. Please arm wave without let or hindrance. As ever, all I'll try to do is provide information to help the discussion along.
Best Regards
Engines