On Thu, 15 Nov 2007 17:07:50 -0800 (PST), Mizter T
wrote:

And I always just use the 8 digits to call London numbers from a
London landline. Indeed I normally give my number to other London
residents as just the 8 digits

So do I, although when giving out my work number -- (020) 7580 xxxx --
the following tends to happen:

Me: "7580..." pause
Them: "07580..."

sigh

Lastly "the kids" might well ignore any such distinction and just work
on the principle of an 11-digit number given the requirement to dial
the whole hog when using a mobile. I'd definitely point to mobile
phones as being a significant reason why the whole number is often
given - and if the whole number is given, then people care less about
breaking it down and putting the spaces in the right places.

I agree with all of that.

Plus even the CLI on one of my BT brand phones connected to a BT line
displays the number incorrectly, which is a bit shabby!

One of the mobile companies -- Vodafone, I think -- that displays the
area the mobile is in on some handsets' screens displays 0207 / 0208,
too.