Pensioners with financial difficulties are set to be among those to benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) making calls to its helplines from mobile phones free.
Commenting on the news, the Low Income Tax Reform Group (LITRG), said: "This is a very welcome and positive move and shows what can be achieved when a major government department is determined to improve customer service; we hope that HMRC will follow."
Any cost cutting measure is to be welcomed by retired people after recent figures revealed the annual cost of living for 64 to 75-year-olds has increased over the last 12 months by £429.
This could lead to many people seeking to join equity release schemes which supplement a homeowner’s income with funds from the value of their property.
According to the LITRG, the move will save money for a number of households without a landline as calls to 0800 numbers can be very expensive from mobiles.
