Why damaged carriers could remain after the war despite replacement needs

Would the Royal Navy have saved more money by scrapping damaged major ships sooner after the Second World War?

New construction offered better long-term value, while ships such as Formidable could still be retained temporarily until refitted replacements entered service.

Long-term investment and short-term fleet cover pointed in different directions. A badly damaged carrier could be uneconomical to restore fully yet still have value as a temporary placeholder. Formidable shows why disposal timing depended on when refitted ships became available. Postwar economy had to be balanced against the need to maintain continuous capability.