As its a Friday, I could not resist putting this up as a bit of fun. The media criticism (see example below) is perhaps a bit unfair on DWP as these are deemed “local calls”. On the other hand, whatever happened to the 0800 numbers and what’s next?
The “win a claim form” premium line?
“Dial 0845 xxxxxx and answer this simple question to get a Housing Benefit claim form.
Housing Benefit is for
a) fraudsters
b) those who have spent all their rent calling premium numbers
c) those who cannot afford a telephone
d) self-employed taxi drivers who never get tips
“The DWP has acknowledged that it has received a £268,000 “profit” from 0845 telephone lines used by benefit claimants.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) supplied details under the Freedom of Information Act which showed it was “refunded” money from lines with the prefix 0845.
The Derbyshire Unemployed Workers Association, which obtained the information, said the disclosure came in the wake of pressure to force Whitehall departments to “poverty proof” policies to avoid them having an adverse effect on the public.
Spokesman Colin Hampton said: “It’s ridiculous that people have to pay to access their benefit entitlement. Despite the cost being as little as 3.5p per minute, many benefit claimants use top-up mobile phones which can often charge more. All government departments should look at their policies and make sure that this kind of thing can’t happen,” he said.
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