0300 call charges - Plusnet staff please clarify

[#1]

On my lastet bill I have £10 charge for calling HMRC about my tax, but when I googled Plusnet call charges for 0300 it says call are free, Please can someone clarify this.

[#2]

@jaygant64 

Where did you find it said that 0300 calls are free?

As far as I know 0300 is not recognised by Plusnet as a free phone number (like 0800). All 03 numbers are classified the same as other local and national numbers (01 and 02) and are charged as such or are included in the call plans with the first 60 minutes not being charged.

The last time I rang HMRC the call lasted considerably longer than an hour due to the time it took to actually get connected to a real person. I have acall plan but there is no way to stay under 60 minutes in those circumstances as ringing off and redialling is just not an option and so I had to stomachk the £3 or so it cost me.

[#3]

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@jgb wrote:

@jaygant64 

Where did you find it said that 0300 calls are free?

As far as I know 0300 is not recognised by Plusnet as a free phone number (like 0800). All 03 numbers are classified the same as other local and national numbers (01 and 02) and are charged as such or are included in the call plans with the first 60 minutes not being charged.

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Neither does HMG's advice to the world for everything else, see: https://www.gov.uk/call-charges

These are identified as 'service' numbers'.