UK bank charges for transfers are a rip-off. It seems to be standard practice and LEGAL.
Co-op is between £12-35 depending on amount (that's for a transfer that doesn't incur any charges to the recipient). £8 transfer might attract charges at the other end.
Clydesdale Bank charges flat fee of £24.
I know the Euro rules, but the UK banks wriggle out of it (probably because they claim they are charging for currency conversion or some other lame excuse like that*).
(*actually I found a reason for it - Regulation (EC) No 2560/2001 of 19.12.2001 / Article 9 of the Regulation stipulates that, should the Member State concerned so decide, certain provisions may also apply to payments in Swedish kronor, Danish kroner or pound sterling. The Swedish authorities have decided to extend the Regulation to the Swedish krona (Communication of the Commission, OJ C 165 of 11.7.2002). - The UK government hasn't opted-in)
They need a good kick up the kyber and customers have been reclaiming unfair bank / credit card penalty charges in their droves as the banks have been taking the p**s out of their customers for so long.
All I can suggest is maybe using electronic payment systems for smaller amounts and taking it on the chin for massive amounts as it's a smaller percentage then. Unless of course someone has a better idea?
Rich