I was told by my local DVLA inspector that all regular work carried out by local DVLA offices including the contracts for the VIC inspections are out to tender and VOSA are only filling in for the next 6 months until all the tenders are in.
Because the VOSA funding has been cut over the last few years they said the did not have the time or resorces to carry out the inspection unless more funding was made available, hence the current situation.
I understand VOSA are also in tender for the contract.
VIC (Vehicle Identity Checks) are free at the moment by you can bet they will charge in the future especially if they appoint mobile inspectors.
We will all just have to wait and see