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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will take steps to ensure that elderly people without sufficient means can block calls from call centres on PPI claims, accident claims and claims against banks without cost.

Under the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 (as amended) (PECR) it is a legal requirement that companies do not make unsolicited marketing calls to numbers registered on the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). Individuals can register their telephone number with the TPS and there is no charge for doing so. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) enforces the PECR and has powers to issue monetary penalties of up to £500,000 against non-compliant firms.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is ICO’s sponsoring Department. MoJ also has a dedicated unit, which regulates companies offering claim services, including for PPI, accidents and financial products.

While call blockers are available on the open market for consumers to purchase, the government is exploring options to provide free devices to people identified as being at higher risk of financial damage and personal distress as a result of nuisance calls.