Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to limit the number of nuisance telephone calls being received by members of the public.

Tackling nuisance calls is a priority issue for the Department and we are pursuing a range of options for reform, which consists of both legislative and non-legislative measures. We believe these will help in our efforts to make a significant difference in our fight against such calls. On 30th March 2014, we published our Nuisance Calls Action Plan that set out proposals including legislation, which will enable Ofcom to share information more easily with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). The Order was debated in the House on 26 June and approved, which will become effective shortly after it is made. Also, we will shortly consult to lower the legal threshold, which will better enable ICO to take enforcement action against organisations that breach the rules, including those that currently manage to avoid penalties being issued to them. Further details about our Action Plan can be viewed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nuisance-calls-action-plan-unveiled