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'Telephone Tax' to be investigated by the NAO

11/6/2013

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Our news release covers the background to this issue, the result that must surely be obtained and the consequences of retention.

Given the effect of a previous NAO investigation on HMRC, and now after Ofcom announcements, we are confident that the “Telephone Tax” will be clearly seen for what it is
tt_investigated.pdf
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The 'Telephone Tax'

20/5/2013

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This news release introduces the term "Telephone Tax", and explains how the Telephone Tax applies in relation to government policy and other activity.
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telephone_tax.pdf
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Queens speech to include a ban on use of expensive telephone numbers

13/5/2013

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This is simply a reference to the Bill which will be required to implement the provisions of the EU Consumer Rights Directive, which we first covered here.
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cbr.pdf
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Open message to Jeremy Hunt

26/3/2013

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An open message has been sent to Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State for Health, pointing out the discrepancy between the terms of the NHS GP contracts regarding telephone numbers, statements by his Minister and the published position adopted by Area Directors of the NHS Commissioning Board for Kent and Medway and Surrey and Sussex.

It presents to him the question: “Are GPs (and others) permitted to use telephone numbers that include a ‘Service Charge’ for access to NHS services?”. The message is copied to those who may be better placed to obtain a response.
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OPEN MESSAGE
to_jeremy_hunt_mp.pdf
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084, 0800 and 03 numbers - parliamentary briefing

18/3/2013

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As the Public Accounts Committee congratulates HMRC on its decision to withdraw its Service Charge, DWP's decision to retain the Service Charge is reported and we await details of Ofcom's measures in Simplifying Non-Geographic Numbers, this briefing aims to ensure that parliamentarians are adequately aware of the issues.

It includes a special caution for those who call for use of 0800 numbers when the significant and largely unnecessary, cost is not justified.
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mp_briefing_084_0800_03.pdf
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Debate on Nuisance Calls - 28 Feb 2013

3/3/2013

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Click on the images to read and watch the debate, and to see responses and related media coverage.

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Watch on parliament TV
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Read at TheyWorkForYou
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Comments and briefing ahead of the debate

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Our briefing following the debate
nuisance_debate_-_response.pdf
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the Sunday Telegraph covers the story
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the Sunday Telegraph investigates the culprits
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ITV online News Wales covers the story
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BBC online News Wales covers the story
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Public bodies - telephone numbers (parliamentary briefing)

11/2/2013

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public_bodies_-_parliamentary_breifing.pdf
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This briefing is issued to MPs and others, to provide an update on the position with public bodies using 084 telephone numbers.
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Coverage of the Gloucestershire NHS move from 0845 to 0300

6/12/2012

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As advised in our media release, the move from 0845 to 0300 was completed on 26 November.
It is now being publicised and discussed.
Click on the items below (including the link within the animated Google ad).

Read the forum
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Hear the coverage
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Item includes a fair telecoms campaign contribution
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NO National Health Service

29/11/2012

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See the written answer from Dr Dan Poulter to Tracey Crouch MP (27 Nov 2012 : Column 212W)
By yet another evasive written answer to a parliamentary question (see also ‘Some “jobsworth” from Health Minister Dr Dan Poulter”’) the Minister again appears to confirm that we do not have a “National” Health Service.

Our NHS is based on the principle that providers are paid to deliver NHS services from our taxation, not through charges which GPs and others may (indirectly) impose on us, e.g. by use of revenue sharing telephone numbers. The revisions to the GP contracts which came into effect from 1 April 2010 simply ensured that this principle could no longer be evaded.

Because Primary Care Trusts have failed to enforce the revised contractual terms, this evasion continues. The Secretary of State for Health was asked what action he was taking to address this continuing undermining of the NHS. The answer from his Minister was clear - “NOTHING”.

Compliance with the principles of our "National" Health Service is left to be decided by local officials. The policy being followed by NHS Kent and Medway (serving constituents of Tracey Crouch MP) leaves it to individual GPs, in consultation with their patients. This is not "our NHS".
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Gloucestershire NHS moves from 084 to 03

21/11/2012

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gloucestershire_nhs_finally_gives_up_its_084_numbers.pdf
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See the news release for details of how Gloucestershire NHS has finally moved into compliance with the Directions to NHS bodies of December 2009, whilst allowing its contracted GPs to remain in breach.
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