MPs debate new laws to tackle 'irritating' nuisance calls
For pensioner George Haynes, unsolicited marketing calls are as unwelcome as they are unwanted.
He regularly receives calls from companies selling things like insurance or offering compensation, and has been known to receive up to nine calls a day.
He's not alone - figures show almost three-quarters of landline customers have had a call from a marketing salesperson, and almost half of us have been on the receiving end of an automated 'silent' call.
Today MPs debated whether new laws are needed to crack down on so-called 'nuisance calls' - as Ian Lang reports.
Earlier today ITV Cymru Wales spoke to John Michison from the Telephone Preference Service and asked him why unsolicited calls are still reaching our homes, even with an official opt-out system in place.
The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is the official opt-out register which allows people to state that they do not wish to receive unsolicited sales or marketing calls.
It is free to register your landline or mobile number with the TPS.
It is a legal requirement that organisations including charities, the voluntary sector and political parties do not make such calls to TPS-registered numbers without consent.
Most legitimate companies adhere to the TPS register.
However:
Some companies flout the law and continue to contact people registered with the TPS.
It is unable to take enforcement action against companies complained about.
It CAN pass complaints to the Information Commissioners Office, which has the power to enforce fines of up to £500,000.
You can register your landline or mobile number with the Telephone Preference Service by visiting www.tpsonline.org.uk
Caroline Harry on Facebook: I have caller ID on my phone. If I don' t recognise the number I don't answer. If its important they can leave a message and I call back.
Janey Stevens on Facebook: Nuisance calls happen everyday, at least three times a day and more sometimes...some are silent, some are those wretched recorded messages, some are people trying to sell something...it is irritating to say the least.
Geoff Owen on Facebook: The annoying ones are the automated messages. I'm sorry if you're going to phone me, actually get a human to call me and not play a tape at me.
Research from Ofcom suggests that 71% of people received at least one live marketing call during a six-month period last year. Credit: PA
A South Wales MP has called a debate today on the problem of nuisance phone calls.
Vale of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns says many of his constituents are plagued by the calls, which range from attempts to sell you something you don't want or need, to an offer of compensation for an accident you have not had.
He wants action to clarify who is responsible for dealing with nuisance calls, and crack down on companies which offend most often.
At the moment responsibility is split between Ofcom, the Information Commission and the phone companies.
He wants to see a code of conduct to close off loopholes found by companies, such as speaking to people using the Telephone Preference Service by saying they are surveying them, rather than selling to them.
He is also calling for a solution to crack down on companies registered abroad making calls.
Amidst the announcements of cuts to the army, there's one piece of good news for Wales, according to Vale of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns. He was told by the Defence Secretary that that a new RAF support squadron which is being formed is 'likely' to be based at the St. Athan site. Alun Cairns said:
I’m so pleased to hear of the formation of 614 (West Glamorgan) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force. As it’s likely to be based at RAF St Athan, it will be a real and much needed boost to the local community which has such a long history with the Royal Air Force and the MOD.
A further announcement will be made within the next 6 months to confirm the details for the squadron and recruitment of the project team. The aim is for the unit to be fully operational by 2018.
The area has a proud history of RAF activity and many people locally are retired RAF personnel. They will be delighted that the base is returning to its original intentions. These activities are in addition to those of the Special Forces sited within the wire on the base.
