Premium rate phone calls to Government help lines - absolutely shocking!
I wrote to our MP concerning the 0870 numbers dished out to people wishing to contact the DWP but it wasn't something her people wanted to pursue.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2498592/How-State-makes-killing-premium-phone-lines-MPs-outrage-vulnerable-taxpayers-calling-help-rack-56million-bill.html"Nearly two thirds of calls fielded by government organisations were made to the higher-rate 0845 numbers, a Commons committee found. Only 40 out of the 365 customer phone lines are free to use.Anyone who phones a government line to report the death of a spouse for tax or benefits purposes pays premium rates, while the Student Loans Company also uses the numbers, saying that doing away with them would cost it £1million in revenue.Almost half the £56million was generated while callers were on hold, waiting to speak to advisers."I must say I find myself listening intently when Margaret Hodge pops up on telly...
Sarah Felstead ● 4467d1 Comments