Indeed. That will be the MK 4 carriages that are being discarded from the ECML and the 158's being discarded by Wales. And both of these are much more pleasant than the 319's
They are better than the 142s and 150s otherwise plying the tracks, and are a guaranteed 4 cars.
Many of them (and the 323s) will be replaced by new 331s over the next 2 years.
Seating is subjective, but they swallow the crowds, are fast at loading/unloading and are PRM compliant.
I think they are fine for another decade or so, and have a crucial role as 769s.
They are also going to W&B and GWR as 769s.
Maybe people forget that the (Labour) business case for GW and NW electrification in 2009 was based on the cascade of 319s from Thameslink to Thames Valley and Northern services.
We have pages and pages of stuff on why serviceable EMUs should not be thrown away, but when some intelligent recycling happens people still complain.