http://www.newtonnews.co.uk/council-review-use-of-0845-phone-numbers/

Quote:

We began using this 0845 number several years ago when these numbers represented the best value for money for residents as they were charged at a local rate. As charging for these numbers has changed we are now moving away from using 0845 numbers

It seems that things move very slowly for Durham County Council, as the connection with "local rate" was broken in 2004, when BT ceased to offer its "Standard" tariff (under which this link is enforced by regulation) to residential customers.

It is however not the change in charging, but the forthcoming change to the way in which charging is presented that is most likely responsible for the move away from 0845 numbers.

I am content that people are doing the right thing, even if they have to defend their previous failure to recognise it by use of misleading statements.

bigjohn wrote on Apr 21^st, 2014 at 4:32am:

http://www.newtonnews.co.uk/council-review-use-of-0845-phone-numbers/

As far as I can see (I had a quick look) most of the numbers are 03, apart from the 24 hour payment line... - http://www.durham.gov.uk/Pages/Service.aspx?ServiceId=5644

The original criticism was about the 0845 numbers for County Council Social Care Direct and Childrens Services.

http://www.newtonnews.co.uk/county-council-use-of-0845-numbers-must-be-stopped/

03 number has now been introduced .

http://www.newtonnews.co.uk/county-council-remove-0845-phone-number/

"Next please"

(Essex County Council)