>Oh sure, prices have gone up a LOT! ... It looks as though it is lower, but in fact it is much more expensive.

Since the british pound is AFAIR still "more expensive" than the EURO when "measured" purely by exchange rate, the effect in GB should be that anything would seem more expensive at first sight, because the number is higher. OTOH there is a break from "learned" prices. I'ld hesitate a bit to argue on other countries price development as a role model for possible GB prices...

regards

thomas