VAT is not just applied to 'luxuries': it is applied to most goods, including basic items like clothing.
I too am concerned that someone might take the reversion to 17.5% VAT as an opportunity to slip in an extra price rise when maybe no-one will notice. Listening to the cacophany of economic pundits, it is rapidly apparent that none of them have any real notion of whether the UK will come out of recession this coming year (Ireland almost certainly will not). The lack of job security and employers taking the chance to cut wages means people have less income, plus credit is harder to come by and savers have seen their income slashed yet those seeking a mortgage now have to raise deposits of 25-50%. So, it appears gloomy.
There was always a small chance that the 15% rate would run for longer, but the UK is to all practical purposes bankrupt so the government will be seeking to recoup money ASAP after the inevitable election coming no later than May 2010. After that, all bets are off...
But I have my Backlog