http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24888608

More than 100 million calls by the public to government departments were charged at a premium rate, costing people an estimated £56m, MPs said.

The Commons Public Accounts Committee found a third of Whitehall numbers used by the public last year were higher-rate, including those for victim support, benefit and tax enquiries.

Labour MP Margaret Hodge said their continued use was “not acceptable”.

The government acknowledged a “more consistent” approach was needed.

According to the cross-party committee, which has been looking into the issue, of the 208 million calls made to government departments in 2012/13, about 63% were made to higher-rate numbers.

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