I was so thrilled when I dialled my first geographic number obtained from saynoto0870.com.  [The number was for Inland Revenue, Bootle; instead of their normal 0845 300 3939 number I used 0151 471 3003].  To my great consternation I was greeted with the comment that as "an ordinary taxpayer" I could not use the number dialled because it is restricted to agents and practitioners only.  When I asked why could I not use it I was told that agents and practitioners expect to jump the queue and not to have to wait their turn.  I explained that as a pensioner I cannot afford these expensive non geographic numbers with their inevitable lengthy waiting times.  The response was less than helpful other than offering me a fax number which for anyone intersted is 0121 300 1593.

hmm, I can accept that they use different Direct Dialling In (DDI) numbers for different purposes (isn't technology wonderful), but am less happy with the "explanation".

Might not one of the other numbers listed be able to help, even if not your local office?

You could try neighbouring numbers 0151 471 3001, 0151 471 3002, 0151 471 3004, 0151 471 3005 etc.

A Google of 0151 471 3000 shows that it is Unilever, so that's no good!

The Inland Revenue information on “Priority Lines” is here.

You could try to use the new fredom of information act. This is a Government Departmnet so they have to give you a reason for not providing resaonable information. If they don't play ball then write to your MP and get him to table a question in the House asking is it Government Policy to charge people to contact the Government.

If your MP is in opposition they will love it.

This appraoch should work for all Governement Departments & Publiclly funded organisations like local councils, the Environment Agency etc.

I have a couple who I am going to try it on and I will post what I get back ;)

It clearly is government policy to charge citizens for contacting government departments.  The first fairly recent example was the removal of the OHMS postal service.

wrote on Jan 26^th, 2005 at 3:15pm:

You could try neighbouring numbers 0151 471 3001, 0151 471 3002, 0151 471 3004, 0151 471 3005 etc. A Google of 0151 471 3000 shows that it is Unilever, so that's no good! The Inland Revenue information on “Priority Lines” is here.

118118.com lists 0116 265 1400 for the Leicester number, close to 0116 265 1405 on the page you mentioned.

For Bootle, it lists personnel on 0151 300 3000 and "Taxes, Other Offices (Financial Intermediaries & Claims Office (FICO))" on 0151 472 6000.

I suggest having a look at 118118.com