Source: Portsmouth News
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/MP-ditches-her--phone.3935395.jpMP ditches her phone following expense worry<<
By Fran Duckett-Pike
A PORTSMOUTH MP has ditched her office's 0845 number after concerns that it was too expensive.
Tory Councillor Alistair Thompson wrote to Sarah McCarthy-Fry, Labour MP for Portsmouth North, after some constituents complained.
Ms McCarthy-Fry insists callers were only charged at a local rate, but she has now added a local number admitting 0845 numbers can be excluded from the 'free evening and weekend' packages some companies offer.
She said: 'When I was first elected in 2005 and set up my office in the Technopole I was not sure how permanent this arrangement would be and I did not want to inconvenience constituents by advertising a number that may have to be changed if I moved offices.
'I therefore set up a virtual number. I was assured that it would cost my constituents no more than a local call.'
BT says that a local call would cost 3.25p per minute.
Ms McCarthy-Fry said the 0845 number cost 3.94p per minute during the day and 1p per minute after 6pm and at weekends.
Cllr Thompson, who represents Hilsea, said the number was more expensive for callers to ring.
He said: 'Having looked into this matter I noted with some concern that they can cost those calling them up to 5p per minute from a landline and up to 30p per minute from a mobile phone.' He added that 0845 numbers can also be used to generate an income for the recipient of the call.
But Ms McCarthy-Fry insisted she made no money from the line.
'I can assure you that I receive no income from this number,' she said.
Ms McCarthy-Fry has now released her 023 landline number in addition to the 0845 number she already has.
She said: 'I want to make it as easy as possible for constituents to contact me and with immediate effect my letterheads will also include the local number and the 0845 number. I will advise the city council of this number as well so they can publicise it.'
Last Updated: 02 April 2008 11:24 AM>>
Ms McCarthy-Fry now provides both numbers on
her website.