It is a common tactic with publicly-funded institutions. When cutbacks are imposed, make sure you cut the most visible, essential aspects of your mission, so there will be an outcry and the authorities will have to reinstate the funding, rather than some obscure aspect no one will notice.

Except in this case, it is for a genuinely good reason, and not because of cutbacks, but because of chronic underfunding. The kind of delays we have experienced are unacceptable. But yes, it is putting political pressure on governments to increase funding.