MP John Healey has won his battle to stop the government from using rip-off rate phone lines after an 18-month campaign.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) decided in the Commons on Tuesday that they would bring in 0345 numbers where they currently have 0845.
This will make calls free or considerably cheaper than the previous rate which was anything up to 41p a minute.
Mr Healey has campaigned against the use of 0845 numbers by government departments and GPs.
“The government has promised an end to high-cost lines that rip off the most vulnerable and poorest in our country. Now no one will pay more than if they were calling a local landline," said Mr Healey.
“This is a victory for all those who are put off from seeking the help they need and are entitled to because they can’t afford to spend a big chunk of their tight budget making the call.
"The Government’s widespread use of 0845 numbers is a telephone tax on millions of hard-pressed people who have to use the lines to contact public agencies.”
PAC chair Margaret Hodge described the high cost lines as “a racket” and said it was “shocking” that people had to call 0845 numbers to access crisis loans, victim support and bereavement services.
She said: “Well done to John Healey in winning this campaign. It is a brilliant example of what a campaigning MP can do through Parliament to get real change which will make a big difference to the everyday costs for millions of ordinary people.”
