Eligibility for 0300 and 0303 Numbers

In the National Telephone Numbering Plan Ofcom formally allocated 0300 and 0303 numbers on the basis that they are specifically used by public sector bodies and not-for-profit bodies, such as registered charities and government organisations.

Ofcom states that it considers that the organisations eligible to use 0300 numbers and 0303 numbers should appear in the official list of bodies maintained by other organisations or meet other criteria indicated by Ofcom in that identify them as an appropriate body. Both of which are detailed below.

Please note that if you find you are not eligible for 0300 numbers or 0303 then other 03 numbers are available, which do not have eligibility criteria. Please see our 03 numbers for alternatives, such as 0330 and 0333 numbers.

Bodies eligible for 0300 Numbers and 0303 Numbers

• List of Ministerial Responsibilities (including Executive Agencies and Non-Ministerial Departments)


• List of Public Bodies (maintained by the Cabinet Office)
  
  
• Lists of Scottish Executive Departments, Agencies and Non-Ministerial Departments
  
  
• List of Public Bodies that are the responsibility of the Scottish Executive
  
  
• List of Welsh Assembly Government Departments
  
  
• Central Register of Charities – maintained by the Charity Commission (England & Wales)
  
  
• Scottish Register of Charities – maintained by The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator

Welsh Public Bodies eligible for 0300 Numbers and 0303 Numbers

National Museums and Galleries of Wales

Welsh Medical Committee

Sports Council for Wales

Welsh Committee for Professional Development of Pharmacists

Arts Council of Wales

Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board

Health Professions Wales

Social Services Inspectorate for Wales: Inspection Advisory Group

Royal Commission for Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales

Advisory Panel on Substance Misuse

Higher Education Funding Council for Wales

Agricultural Wages Committee (x6)

Care Council for Wales

All Wales Medicines Strategy Group

Local Government Boundary Commission Independent Appeal Panel for Farmers

Environment Agency Wales

Valuation Tribunals (Wales) (x4)

Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committee (x6)

Registered Inspectors Appeals Tribunal (Wales)

Hill Farming Advisory Sub-Committee for Wales

Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales

Welsh Scientific Advisory Committee

Agricultural Land Tribunal (Wales)

Welsh Optometric Committee

Rent Assessment Panel for Wales

Welsh Dental Committee

Wales Centre for Health

Other bodies and organisations that may also be eligible to use 030 numbers

• Organisations with a website url address ending in ‘.gov.uk’.
  
  
• Those whose phone number is part of the Central Office of Information aggregated Government Telephony contract
  
  
• Those with a website url address ending in ‘.nhs.uk’.
  
  
• GPs’ practices and urgent care providers
  
  
• Educational establishments including schools, universities and colleges, website urls ending .ac.uk
  
  
• Arms Length Management Organisations and other bodies working with local councils; and


• Those with charitable status in Northern Ireland. There is currently no register of charities in Northern Ireland, but the Department for Social Development in the Northern Ireland Government gives guidance for charities. The guidance states that documentary proof of charitable status is provided by the official letter granting charitable status for tax purposes.

Bodies and Organisations Excluded from using 0303 or 0300 Numbers

According to Ofcom 030 numbers should not be used by utility companies that are not public sector or not-for-profit bodies. Private companies operating in the water, energy, transport and postal sectors therefore will not qualify to use 0300 numbers or 0303 numbers. Please see our 03 numbers for alternatives, such as 0330 and 0333 numbers.