The new EU directive on 0845 numbers has been put into place recently. This means that if a company is providing a service to consumers they must provide an alternative local rate or low cost number.

I spoke to trading standards about this regarding my insurance company Churchill. Apparently because they are classed as a 'financial' service they are exempt from the directive!

What complete rubbish! If a company is providing a service whether it be financial or otherwise to consumers it should be covered by the same directive!

I'm not amused as I am currently in the middle of a claim and the ONLY way to contact the recoveries department is on an 0845 number.  >:(

http://www.fairtelecoms.org.uk/consumer-rights-directive.html

The new law covers all 084 and 087 numbers, not just 0845.

Financial services are covered by different regulation produced by a different regulator.
The new law from BIS covers retailers, traders and passenger transport companies.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/3134/regulation/6/made
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/3134/regulation/41/made

The FCA could have brought out parallel regulation at the same time, but didn't.
They are expected to bring in regulation about a year behind what BIS have done.

http://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-says-time-to-end-premium-calls-for-consumers

http://www.fairtelecoms.org.uk/radio-player.html?119