Companies House Chooses 03!

Yet another major public sector organisation has opted for an 03 number.....this time it's Companies House.

For more info visit: http://www.windsor-telecom.co.uk/news.php?Title=New%2003%20Number%20for%20Companies%20House

03 Numbers: Passport to Cheaper Calls.

The Identity and Passport Service is using 0300 222 0000 for its Passport Advice Line.

The government department switched to 03 at the start of September 08.

03 works for VOSA

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) is now using an 0300 number for its general enquiries line: 0300 123 9000.

We do Like 03 Beside the Seaside!

Southsea Town Council are using an 0300 number as its main contact line:

0300 0300 113

Have you seen any other local authorities with 03?

Let us know!

03 for Non-Emergency.

I read today that people are being reminded not to dial 999 unless they face a genuine emergency.

It's reported that up to 70% of all calls to 999 are being dialled for wholly inapproriate reasons.

One article on the BBC website says that a woman dialled 999 because the rabbit she bought via a newspaper advert, didn't have floppy ears!

Many organisations are turning to 03 numbers to use as a dedicated Non-Emergency Line to reduce unwanted calls to 999, which could stop genuine emergencies being dealt with more quickly.

Durham Police, Essex Police and Northumbria Police are leading the way with their 03 numbers - although I'm still not sure whether they would be too overwhelmed to hear about 'faulty' pets on that line either!

03 for Essex Police

Another police force is using an 03 number for its 24-hour non-emergency line.

Essex Police: 0300 333 4444

Durham Police Choose 03

Durham Constabulary is using 0345 6060 365 as its 24 hour non-emergency line!

Northumbria Police and 03

Northumbria Police is using an 03 number for its non-emergency line:

03456 043 043

Educated Choice for Ofqual

The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) has a range of 03 numbers throughout the organisation:

Switchboard: 0300 303 3344

Helpline: 0300 303 3346

Textphone: 0300 303 3345

Fax: 0300 303 3348

Press office: 0300 303 3342

Yet more evidence that 03 numbers are on the rise!

DSA go for 03

The Driving Standards Agency are using an 03 number for its customer service line:

0300 200 1122

03 for Business Support Wales

Another public sector organisation has jumped on the 03 numbers bandwagon!

This time it's Business Support Wales:

0300 060 3000 is now its main contact line.

Adjudicator's Office Opts for 03.

The Adjudicator's Office is now using an 0300 number.

0300 057 1111 is the main number to contact the organisation, which looks into complaints about HM Revenue & Customs.

101 Non-Emergency Number Loses Funding

You may be aware that the government has abandoned direct funding for the Nationwide 101 Non-Emergency Number.

The 101 phone number was being piloted in certain areas around the UK to complement and take the pressure off 999 emergency services.

Around 10 million 999 calls to the police were made in 2004, yet an incredible 70% of these were not for genuine emergencies.

According to http://www.101.gov.uk/ not all problems need an emergency response, but many people call 999 because they don’t know what else to do.

Clearly the loss of the 101 phone number will impact heavily on our local communities and most emergency services are now adopting alternative non-emergency numbers to maintain public confidence and continue to take the pressure off 999 emergency services.

Many are turning to the new 0300 numbers, which have recently been released by Ofcom exclusively for government services. 03 numbers have already been widely acclaimed by many, including the national media and other key stakeholders, as the preferred phone number for the public sector.

This is reflected in Sir David Varney’s 2006 pre-budget report on transforming public service delivery, when he stated that;

“The launch by Ofcom of the new 0300 number range in 2007 presents government with a unique opportunity to implement a single number range to simplify access to government services. Reducing the number of published numbers and implementing a clear numbering and tariffing strategy across government would make access to public sector services less confusing to citizens and businesses and would be more effective for the taxpayer”.

The popularity of 03 numbers among the public sector is largely thanks to:

• The fact that they are so easy to remember. For example, Windsor Telecom hold the ‘0300 999’ range, so currently offer phone numbers, such as 0300 999 9999 or 0300 999 0000 etc.
• They cost the same to dial as standard 01 and 02 numbers and are easy and inexpensive to dial from mobile phones. Did you know that in 2007 35% of all calls made in the UK were on mobile phones? (Ofcom 2007).
• You can differentiate yourself from commercial companies, so the public are confident in who they are calling.
• They enable you to provide an efficient and cost effective service with internet based call management.
• 03 numbers also allow for call statistics to be produced so you can measure their success in terms of marketing and usage.
  

Watch this space for more information on non-emergency numbers in your area and learn more about 0300 numbers here.