As far as I'm aware, the reason why you don't have to take your laptop out of the bag anymore at lhr is because they have new fancy all singing, all dancing and all seeing x-ray machines. At lgw we don't have them. When I went through the pax screening area a few night ago, the signs were still there about taking laptops out for screening. Shoe screening is separate as well, after the main bag and body screening.
Most of the "security" staff are still miserable though...
