Nuneaton’s MP, Marcus Jones, has welcomed Government measures to tackle the nuisance of cold callers, who will no longer be able to hide or disguise their phone numbers.

From Monday 16 May, direct marketing companies registered in the UK will need to display their phone numbers when making unsolicited phone calls - even if their call centres are based abroad. The move follows positive backing in a public consultation and extensive work with regulators, industry, and consumer groups.

This latest move by Government follows news that a substantial number of fines totalling £895,000 have been issued by the Information Commissioners Office (ICO). In 2015, the Government made it easier to fine nuisance callers by removing the need for consumers to prove that unwanted marketing calls were causing substantial distress and damage.

Companies can risk fines of up to £2 million from Ofcom and a further £500,000 from the ICO if they continue to bombard consumers with unwanted calls.

Commenting, Marcus said: “Nuisance calls are incredibly intrusive and I know from speaking to local people here in Nuneaton the harm they can cause, particularly to elderly and vulnerable people.

“I am pleased that the Government is committed to tackling this problem, which is why it is making it easier for consumers to report companies by forcing them to display their phone numbers.

“We’re sending a clear message to rogue direct marketing companies. Nuisance calls are unacceptable and we will not hesitate to take action against the companies behind them.”