As far as I'm aware it is "business as usual" for a few years yet. Discontinuation of the yearly fee is only at a consultation stage, unless I'm mistaken.
Come on, come on - join the real world - with BLair wedded to stealth taxes did you really believe one of his governments departments would stop charging a percieved wealthy segment of the population a tax?
The process is in consultative stage, and unless someone throws a huge spanner in the machine, seems set to go ahead. So, yes they are planning on decreasing costs.
still trying to renew mine on-line (twice now). Using a switch card and the card start date boxes remain "grayed" (the end date is fine) so I can't enter start date. Form still gets submitted and I get the auto e-mail thanking me for renewing; shortly followed by a personal mail from xxx@royalmail saying we can't process your application. Next thing I get is notice of cancellation - Do I care; not a lot!!!!