I think NATS losing tower contracts is an interesting situation, the bosses are getting it wrong somewhere. The controllers are still doing the job they are paid to do, but for the airport owners are not happy with NATS as ATC providers.
That said, Gatwick could be a disaster yet if validations don't happen soon. The latest recruits are from Bournemouth and Oxford, I hope they do well, but it's a big ask. Are wages going to have to increase to attract ex gatwick or ex Heathrow tower validations, or Middle East expats I wonder. Watching with interest.