Ive had broadband since Cable & Wireless first started trialling their STB DOCSIS 1.1 service in 1998.
Originally, it was 64Kbps, then it went to 128Kbps, then shortly after 256Kbps.
Then, when it eventually became available to the public, it went upto 512Kbps.
NTL bought CWC UK Residential in 2000, so it was then provided by NTL.
I then got their 1Mbps service in 2002, then it increased to 3Mbps in late 2004, although from 2003 until mid-2005 I also had a 2Mbps Bulldog DSL service as well, with both connections running via a load balancer until I moved house in late 2005.
I currently have 2Mbps from Virgin.Net who have been good, however, I am awaiting for them to LLU on the Arrowebrook exchange, then it will be "upto" 8Mbps, although given the distance it will be more like 5Mbps. Having said that, if they take long enough it may come with the DSLAM software upgrade at the time of LLU which will mean it will be "upto" 16Mbps (not that many standard ADSL modems can attain more then 8Mbps but never mind).
I am happy with 2Mbps, personally I believe it is the maximum a home user currently should require, even with multiple computers on the network. I can't see there being a need for much higher then 2Mbps in the near future either.
GazzA, what service is the 8Mbps you are recieveing? AFAIK, no Wirral exchanges have had their DSLAM's LLU'ed as yet, so I assume it must be via cable or maybe even leased line (highly doubtful though).