From the Guardian.

"Universal credit system will be claimed either online or by ringing an 0345 number, which costs 45p a minute from mobile or 12p a minute from landline"

See: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/feb/17/iain-duncan-smith-refuses-to-set-up-freephone-for-families-claiming-benefits

The crucial words "up to" are missing from in front of both of those prices.

Most people call 01, 02 and 03 numbers as part of their inclusive allowance on their landline or on their mobile.

Those who have not got an allowance pay up to the figures mentioned above.

For an essential service such as this, provision of an 080 number is vital otherwise some people may not be able to call.

The assertion that everyone will be able to apply online is patently untrue.

Wrong  >:(

The Guardian misrepresents the situation with Universal Credit.

Initial claims for Universal Credit cannot be made by telephone, only online or through a special face-to-face process.

The telephone line is another DWP enquiry line.


The call costs are copied from the false information provided on gov.uk.

Whilst a large majority of callers incur no call charge when calling a 03 number, those who incur the penalty charge for "out of plan" calls do find themselves paying up to 45p per minute from a mobile and a lot more than 12p per minute from a landline. Landline penalty charges include a call set-up fee, which is disregarded by the information given.

The official information also fails to make reference to inclusive call plans - despite the fact that this is how the overwhelming majority of calls actually made to 01/02/03 numbers are paid for.