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<p>The level of nuisance calls made to UK numbers is monitored by independent bodies.
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) takes the lead in tackling unsolicited
live direct marketing calls and automated marketing message calls through its responsibility
for enforcing the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR). Further
information about the level of nuisance calls and enforcement action taken by the
ICO is available on the ICO’s website at <a href="https://ico.org.uk/action-weve-taken/nuisance-calls-and-messages/"
target="_blank">https://ico.org.uk/action-weve-taken/nuisance-calls-and-messages/</a>.</p><p>The
Office of Communications (Ofcom) is the regulator for telecommunications services
in the UK and, in respect of nuisance calls, its focus is primarily on abandoned and
silent calls. Ofcom will be releasing its most recent statistics following its nuisance
calls consumer survey later this month. Information on this is available on its website
at <a href="https://www.ofcom.org.uk/home" target="_blank">ofcom.org.uk</a></p><p>The
Government has been clear that there is no place for nuisance calls in our society
and we continue to work with regulators and industry on practical solutions to this
problem. The Government has taken a range of recent actions to reduce the number of
nuisance calls. The Government has banned cold calls from personal injury firms and
pensions providers unless the consumer has explicitly agreed to be contacted. The
Government has also introduced director liability for nuisance calls, meaning that
the ICO can impose a fine of up to £500,00 on a company, its directors, or both where
it establishes a breach has occurred (previously, only the company could be fined).
This measure has enhanced the ICO’s regulatory effectiveness by raising the issue
of unsolicited marketing at board level. The Government is also funding National Trading
Standards to install call blocking devices in the homes of vulnerable people.</p><p>The
ICO has a dedicated team to investigate organisations making nuisance calls and take
action when evidence supports enforcement action. The ICO has a joint action plan
with Ofcom for tackling nuisance calls. The ICO also works closely with the Ministry
of Justice’s Claims Management Regulation Unit and the National Crime Agency to share
intelligence and deter and penalize organisations and individuals responsible for
the harm caused by nuisance calls. The ICO works with the Insolvency Service to ensure
as much of the monetary penalties issued to those that are in breach of the rules
is recovered.</p><p>The ICO has arrangements with other countries to share information
and intelligence about organisations potentially contravening UK law, including the
PECR. It makes referrals to those countries where it identifies organisations making
unlawful calls to UK subscribers, and has a number of such investigations ongoing
at the present time. The ICO will continue to work with its counterparts including
in countries where large numbers of nuisance calls are being made to the UK, in order
to identify the offenders and solutions to the problem.</p><p> </p>
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