MP raises nuisance calls at Westminster – Bupa Great Edinburgh Run – New chaplain for the Queen – East Lothian Airshow – Live music tonight
Edinburgh’s Liberal Democrat MP, Mike Crockart and Alun Cairns MP, Conservative Vale of Glamorgan, recently launched the All Party Parliamentary Group on Nuisance Calls and they immediately announced the group’s intention to hold an inquiry into how best to deal with the worst excesses of the unsolicited marketing industry.
The APPG, which is made up of MPs from across the UK and the political spectrum and has been set up to help the many thousands of constituents plagued by nuisance calls by investigating existing unscrupulous practices and identifying deficiencies in the current legislation.
The group also launched a call for evidence into nuisance calls with the aim of finding a solution to the menace affecting everyone in the UK.
Commenting on the formation of the group, Mr Crockart said:-“I am delighted that the new group has such wide support and is wasting no time in and is getting down to work straight away. I have been running a ‘No 2 Nuisance Calls’ campaign for over a year and have been contacted by many thousands of people who are sick of nuisance calls and texts.
“Whilst my Private Member’s Bill will go some way to reforming and improving the industry, it is not the full solution. This inquiry will take evidence from regulators, telecoms providers, consumer groups and hopefully Ministers in the search for proposals to be fed into the current Communications Review being undertaken by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The problem has reached epidemic proportions and it is time for a proportionate and permanent solution.
“It’s time for real and meaningful legislative change to remove this menace from people’s lives.”
Alun Cairns added:
“This is a significant issue, particularly for those who are at home during the day, many of whom are pensioners. It is not unusual for some to receive a dozen or more calls a day.
“The current process to complain is complicated and the laws are confusing. Most call centres withhold their telephone number. If they are calling without permission, it is then almost impossible to report the offence. I have a 10 minute Rule Bill in November to force all non-domestic callers to display their number. This will help empower people to decide whether to answer the phone or not and to complain about them if necessary.”
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The runners will be out in Holyrood Park this morning completing the 5k and 10K circuits. The organisers are expecting over 6,000 people to take part, and there will be live music to help the runners on their way.
The Evening News reports that a new chaplain has been appointed for the Queen. Rev John Chalmers was minister at Palmerston Place Church. Read more here…
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One for your diaries. In two weeks’ time the airshow takes place at the National Museum of Flight in East Lothian. More information and tickets here.
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Live music tonight at the Old Chain Pier. The intriguingly named Cerala Impala and the Jellyman’s Daughter will be livening up the waterside venue. More information here.
Anyone going? Maybe you could tell us what they were like?
Reviews are always welcome here! We are also interested in hearing from you if you would like to review any shows for us in the Fringe….?
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Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
