[SeeSharp]

This decision was forced on them by their economic circumstances. The way the cost of the F-35 keeps going up they may not get that new carrier at the end of the decade either.

The worst part of this for the Brits will be the long break in continuity for that highly specialized expertise it takes to operate a carrier. So many things will have to be relearned from scratch when and if they deploy another carrier.

[GeronL]

They have all those public employees and welfare cases to support, the military just has to go.

[SteamShovel]

This decision was forced on them by their economic circumstances

Why wouldn't they put it in mothballs to save cost and keep it on the roster in case of future need instead?