Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent steps her Department has taken to ensure that (a) the gov.uk website and (b) internet providers advertise the correct information on the cost of calls to her Department's helplines; and if she will make a statement.

a) All information is controlled centrally and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) regularly reviews and updates the data on the cost of calls held on gov.uk to ensure it remains accurate. The Department has updated all relevant DWP pages on gov.uk with the freephone numbers that were introduced by the end of 2017.

b) Where the Department identifies that a website fails to publicise, or advertises incorrect call costs, we will make a referral to the National Trading Standards Board (NTSB) to investigate and prosecute if appropriate following investigation. The Department is also working with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to maximise the use of regulatory powers for Premium Rate Telephony services.

c) The Department also attends the cross government working party on misleading websites, sharing knowledge and best practices in dealing with those websites who seek to make profit from misleading citizens.