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Why Is The Government Charging 55P A Minute To Benefit Claimants?
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This issue was raised in Prime Ministers Questions today.
Is this a scandal in the making?
http:// www.ind ependen t.co.uk /news/u k/polit ics/uni versal- credit- jeremy- corbyn- governm ent-hel pline-w elfare- claiman ts-char ge-per- minute- help-th eresa-a 7994601 .html
Is this a scandal in the making?
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.The charge is only 55p per minute if (very unusually) you've got a mobile tariff that charges that price for calls to normal landline numbers. (I'm not actually aware of any mobile phone service which charges that much. The highest price I've seen is 30p per minute for some PAYG services, and that only applies where the user isn't purchasing 'bundles', as most PAYG users now do anyway).
The helpline service uses an 0345 number, which Ofcom rules state phone service providers must charge at the same rate as 01 or 02 numbers. So if callers are using a mobile phone with 'included minutes' for such numbers, they'll get the calls free of charge. Similarly, if they're using a package from BT (or any other landline provider) with free daytime calls to landlines, they won't pay anything.
The helpline service uses an 0345 number, which Ofcom rules state phone service providers must charge at the same rate as 01 or 02 numbers. So if callers are using a mobile phone with 'included minutes' for such numbers, they'll get the calls free of charge. Similarly, if they're using a package from BT (or any other landline provider) with free daytime calls to landlines, they won't pay anything.
Jesus wept - there are either some spectacularly dim people in politics (and on here), or some people will just use any excuse for a fight.
Chris has already said it, but it needs to be said again ... repeat after me until it actually sinks in :
0345 numbers :
**are exactly the same as any 01 or 02 number **
It only costs 55p if it would also cost the person 55p for **any** chargeable call - that's not a scandal - it's just what the person pays for phone calls.
Chris has already said it, but it needs to be said again ... repeat after me until it actually sinks in :
0345 numbers :
**are exactly the same as any 01 or 02 number **
It only costs 55p if it would also cost the person 55p for **any** chargeable call - that's not a scandal - it's just what the person pays for phone calls.
Even though most won't pay 55p a minute I'm not sure why it is considered appropriate to charge such a rate to anyone with queries about welfare.
For gulliver/ladybirder this has gone on for some time- even under Labour (probably the wrong brand of Labour for you). I was annoyed in 2009 when I was claiming JSA that I had to pay premium rates for some calls
For gulliver/ladybirder this has gone on for some time- even under Labour (probably the wrong brand of Labour for you). I was annoyed in 2009 when I was claiming JSA that I had to pay premium rates for some calls
Apparently some clarification needed here....
First: Most benefit claimants do NOT have good credit which means they are stuck on high-tariff, Pay-as-you-go plans, which is where the 55p comes from.
Very few can afford BT landlines.
The article quoted that a CALL-BACK service is available to those who can't stay on the line. But it takes at least 5 minutes to go thru all the menu options and recorded messages, costing the caller a minimum of £2.75 a call before they can exercise that option.
Finally, and most importantly, WHY CHARGE THE POOREST, MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN OUR SOCIETY FOR PHONE CALLS TO A DEPARTMENT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO HELP THEM?
I notice no one has even tried to answer that yet. Not even the Prime Minister.
First: Most benefit claimants do NOT have good credit which means they are stuck on high-tariff, Pay-as-you-go plans, which is where the 55p comes from.
Very few can afford BT landlines.
The article quoted that a CALL-BACK service is available to those who can't stay on the line. But it takes at least 5 minutes to go thru all the menu options and recorded messages, costing the caller a minimum of £2.75 a call before they can exercise that option.
Finally, and most importantly, WHY CHARGE THE POOREST, MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN OUR SOCIETY FOR PHONE CALLS TO A DEPARTMENT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO HELP THEM?
I notice no one has even tried to answer that yet. Not even the Prime Minister.
>>> Most benefit claimants do NOT have good credit which means they are stuck on high-tariff, Pay-as-you-go plans, which is where the 55p comes from.
As I wrote above, I'm unaware of any mobile phone providers who actually charge 55p per minute. Even Vodafone only charges 30p per minute for PAYG users who don't buy 'bundles but a just fiver per month gets a bundle which effectively brings the price down to 5p per minute (with loads of texts and data thrown in as well).
Asda Mobile charges just 8p per minute (which is slightly cheaper than a BT landline) to PAYG users without 'bundles' but spending just a fiver per month on a 'bundle' takes the price per minute down to 4p (again with texts and data thrown in as well).
So the cost of using a mobile to call an 0345 number is often LESS than from a BT landline.
As I wrote above, I'm unaware of any mobile phone providers who actually charge 55p per minute. Even Vodafone only charges 30p per minute for PAYG users who don't buy 'bundles but a just fiver per month gets a bundle which effectively brings the price down to 5p per minute (with loads of texts and data thrown in as well).
Asda Mobile charges just 8p per minute (which is slightly cheaper than a BT landline) to PAYG users without 'bundles' but spending just a fiver per month on a 'bundle' takes the price per minute down to 4p (again with texts and data thrown in as well).
So the cost of using a mobile to call an 0345 number is often LESS than from a BT landline.
I agree with the comment from spicerack, Liz Truss handled the question very badly on Daily Politics Show, Andrew Neil had her tied up in knots where she just wouldn't answer the question, she should've just said that she would raise the concern with the relevant minister and that would've been the end of it, she looked way out of her depth and unsympathetic to the poor of society!
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