If the handling is outsourced, wouldn't it be more cost effective to take the handling in-house? Not for all, but certainly for LHR/LGW where the volume is greatest it should have been mentioned by 'some' level of management.
A more expensive outlay for equipment/training, but surely long term would deliver much better value. They could take inspiration from Jet2, who do self handing at some based. EMA for example only has 7 based units. If they can make it work with a smaller operation, surely BA could at least consider it for their largest?