HMRC has begun removing the Telephone Tax from its own helplines which is a welcome move says Roger. He believes that this is the beginning of its fulfillment of an assurance that all HMRC 0845 numbers will be replaced by 03 numbers “by the end of the summer”. HMRC is setting an example to other departments and public bodies he believes.
The National Audit Office is investigating claims that the use of premium-rate phone lines by government departments amounts to a “telephone tax” and expects to deliver its verdict in July.
A number of Government departments including crucially the Dept for Work and Pension (DWP) will continue with 0845 numbers thereby further penalizing those on benefits who call up for help and advice.
The primary HMRC helpline numbers, covering VAT, National Insurance and Income Tax, and Self Assessment are all changing from 0845 to 03.
New Numbers:
http://hmrc.gov.uk/news/new-numbers-helplines.htm
The Fair Telecoms Campaign has indentified 938 NHS GP surgeries in the UK which are imposing the Telephone Tax.
In these cases it is retained for the benefit of the GPs, in covering part of the cost they incur in providing NHS services under contract. There are also many NHS hospitals and other NHS bodies which impose the Telephone Tax, through use of 084 numbers.

Roger said: “I have always been a strong supporter of the implementation of such a tax and I was very happy to support the measure in a Commons vote recently.
I believe it would be one of the most effective ways of ensuring that the financial community, who caused the financial crisis in this country and other western countries in 2008, make a contribution towards alleviating the suffering that they have caused both in the UK and abroad”.
Roger concluded: “A global Robin Hood Tax could raise £250 billion every year, including tens of billions right here in the UK.”

This article appeared in the June edition of Roger's newsletter 'Postcard from Parliament'