"If Say"---It hasn't changed since it was brought in about 20 years ago---and your talking about a possibility of a 50-to 100% increase.
Also I think most long term stayers are married--which gives an option for half that amount.
I think most long term people view as getting better over the years. Before it came , you had to leave the country to obtain another years visa , air fares -hotels etc .
Then when that was stopped--- you still had to leave the country every 90 days--walk across a border do a U turn and come back.
They have brought in all other options for longer term Visa's --if that suits you.
Yet still you get people thinking---"there out to get us"