This goes in parallel with the denegration of aviation enthusiasts, firstly as anoraks and more recently as a threat to security. Back in 1956 when I first took an interest, young people were encouraged to learn about aviation. This could and should still be the case within the tighter security rules. I joined the ATC at the youngest possible age, 13 years and 9 months. Apart from earning a lot about aviation I also learned to look after myself, learned discipline and had some good sporting experiences.
Whilst I did not take up a career in aviation, I have had a hobby for 60 years which has led to great friendships, given me something to occupy my free time when travelling around the world on business and, because of my knowledge, enabled me to found and run a successful company after redundancy at 41, providing conferences and seminars on a wide range of aviation topics in many countries which were so successful that I was able to retire at 51.
The ATC is to suffer because, just as in aviation and a host of other industries today, the UK government is more concerned to cut costs than looking at the benefits of the expenditure required. Penny wise, pound foolish springs to mind.