Just in case you were unaware...

Thank you hippo - I did know that LWP::Simple is a wrapper but I hadn't extrapolated that to understand the implications you have pointed out. Obvious really but easily missed (at least it is by me).

I am using HTTP::Tiny for the Raspberry Pi project mainly because this module is core. Having used it for this, I think it will be my first choice when I need simple web access.