Some people still dont grasp it. I noticed  this leading UK Site On Benefits and Work suggesting to callers that they could use 0845 for the price of a local call when a 0345 number is available.

"All 0345 numbers can also be called using 0845 from a landline for the cost of local rate calls."


https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/2757-esa-contact-numbers

For more than a year, since around June 2015, if you call a DWP 0845 number you hear the message "You have dialled a number starting 08. Please hang up and re-dial the same number but replacing 08 with 03. You have not been charged for this call."

As for costings, I always prefer "Calls to 03 numbers are inclusive in allowances on landlines and mobiles, else are charged at 'geographic rate', the same as calling 01 and 02 numbers." Attempts to simplify usually lead to errors and untruths being introduced.

Of course, the other point is that 0845 numbers haven't been 'local rate' since 2004. Both Ofcom and ASA issued a note about this in 2005:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20080728101959/http:/www.cap.org.uk/cap/news_events/news/2005/Stop+the+call+confusion.htm

Indeed, at that time, a distinct 'local rate' (a lower charge for a local call) ceased to exist on all calls to 01 and 02 numbers. Callers instead had an inclusive allowance or paid the same geographic rate irrespective of distance.

bigjohn wrote on Nov 28^th, 2016 at 11:11am:

Some people still dont grasp it. I noticed  this leading UK Site On Benefits and Work suggesting to callers that they could use 0845 for the price of a local call when a 0345 number is available. "All 0345 numbers can also be called using 0845 from a landline for the cost of local rate calls." https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/2757-esa-contact-numbers

I would always say "feel free to give them feedback" and that doesn't just apply to you bigjohn but maybe anyone reading this post.  Feedback can be given here

Maybe even an e-mail from Fair Telecoms?

CJT-80 wrote on Dec 4^th, 2016 at 9:47am:

bigjohn wrote on Nov 28th, 2016 at 11:11am: Some people still dont grasp it. I noticed  this leading UK Site On Benefits and Work suggesting to callers that they could use 0845 for the price of a local call when a 0345 number is available. "All 0345 numbers can also be called using 0845 from a landline for the cost of local rate calls." https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/2757-esa-contact-numbers I would always say "feel free to give them feedback" and that doesn't just apply to you bigjohn but maybe anyone reading this post.  Feedback can be given here Maybe even an e-mail from Fair Telecoms?

Slap my wrist CJT80.    ;D

Not at all bigjohn :P