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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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Assembly Member backs campaign for reform government call centres
March 7, 2008 12:00 AM
Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Social Justice, Communities and Housing, Peter Black, has backed a Welsh Liberal Democrat campaign to humanise government by reforming the 'call centre culture' in Britain.
The 'Faceless Britain' campaign being run by the Liberal Democrats is based on research by the party, which shows that the increasing use of call centres has resulted in additional costs to the user, particularly the poorest who have no choice but to use a mobile phone. The research shows that a quarter of those earning less than £11,500 do not have access to a landline. The cost of a 40-50 minute call to Jobcentre Plus Benefits from a mobile can be equal to half a weeks Jobseekers Allowance for someone aged over 25.
"It is simply unfair for the government to allow the use of 0845 numbers which cost the users of government services £400 million a year." said Mr Black. "Many of the people who use these lines are the most vulnerable in our society and the most in need. How can the government justify forcing people to phone an expensive number in order to get the details of how to apply for a job, when the details may be free online if you go direct to the employer?"
"Mobile phone operators do not make a distinction between 0845 numbers and 0800 numbers either, meaning that phonecalls that could be free are not. If the government was to ensure that a normal 01 or 02 number was also available, mobile phone users may not have to pay extra call charges or can use 'free minutes.' There are simple steps that can be taken to help people, but the government is just not interested."