18/01/10

By Howard Lent

The Helplines Association (THA) has expressed satisfaction that the Department for Work and Pensions has reached an agreement with mobile phone networks to ensure that people can call seventy of their 0800 numbers free from mobile phones.

Mobile networks already offer free phone calls to charity helplines starting with 080880 such as Macmillan, the MS Society and the NSPCC.

These helplines are vetted by The Helplines Association.

The mobile providers have partnered with THA in this scheme since 1998.

This has ensured that calls to these helplines are completely anonymous and do not appear on any phone bill.

THA is now exploring with the mobile providers how to provide this free service to even more members of the public who use public services.

This would ensure the public can call all government freephone helplines from their mobiles without charge, on a special number range which would be easily identified as 'free from mobiles'.

THA's chief executive, Rekha Wadhwani, said: "We are delighted with the DWP news which will improve the lives of people in vulnerable situations. We look forward to the day when phone calls for all people in need are zero-rated from all mobile networks and landlines in a scheme such as our unique scheme for charity sector helplines.

"We would recommend that any charity or government department who wishes to ensure their callers can contact them free from mobile phones, should contact THA on 0808 802 0000 to find out more about the scheme."

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