The YHA deserves to die. It really has lost its way
That's a bit strong. They will still have a chain of "family activity centres", the small iconic hostels will probabaly be retained and the city hostels will be well, city hostels. They also haven't lost their way: they've decided that their income must match their outgoings and that times have moved on: they have looked at the market and are aiming at one stop weekending and week long stays, a sort of Travelodge for the business man and his family at leisure. Accountants and marketing men do not lose their way - it's the way to the bank.
Out have gone the character buildings (bar a few), the cycling network (the hiking network still exists as it did in the popular areas), the fixed and low prices, the absence of cars, the absence of TV and the absence of alcohol. (The wall at Salisbury YHA recently had two huge posters: one for an alcoholic product and one for where to drive around Salisbury.) In fact what has really gone is the culture. Oddly enough they support camping barns which have most of the disadvantages of both camping (carrying a sleeping bag) and hostelling (little privacy).
For young touring cyclists (and parents of young touring cyclists) it is a disaster - there is no alternative except camping. But for the YHA it isn't all bad.