[JMT1985]

I fear you may be right, although they could easily commission a completely new virtual set that's still consistent with the ITV News branding, like they did in 2010. Isn't the regular set loosely based on the Gray's Inn Road atrium anyway?

Yes partly, and partly a totally empty production gallery scene takes up most of the backdrop - they are most likely keeping the virtual studio for obvious reasons, but ITV has the perfect chance to do something different without physical change needed to their studio.