Tag: telephone,
Nicola Bulley: Councillors receive ‘vile’ telephone calls over missing mum & cops say they’ll investigate
COUNCILLORS of Nicola Bulley’s home town have received vile calls over the missing mum.
All members of the parish council were said to have been bombed with late-night “mystery phone calls” following the disappearance of the mum-of-two.
Councillors in Nicola Bulley’s area were bombed with ‘mystery phone calls’ overnight on Saturday[/caption]
One council member in particular, who lives nearby, was said to have been left an ‘offensive’ voicemail[/caption]
One caller left an “offensive” voicemail message referencing Nicola – which police are now investigating.
A source close to the Inskip with Sowerby Parish Council revealed the “mystery” calls came in to all six members between 12.45am and 3am on Saturday.
They said all but one rang off as the Lancashire councillors picked up.
A council source said the caller did mention Nicola – but they would not give any more details on what was said.
They said: “I believe the police have identified the offender.”
When asked if the councillor who was left the voicemail was rattled by the message, they said: “No, we’re not soft.”
However, all councillors’ numbers have now been pulled from the website.
Wyre Borough Council leader councillor Michael Vincent said members understood “the emotional gravity of” the 45-year-old’s disappearance.
But, he added: “We will not tolerate any form of abuse of any of our Elected Members of Wyre Borough Council or any of the town and parish councils within our borders or our staff.”
Michael continued: “It is a shame that we have had to take this step at such a difficult time and appropriate steps are being taken to ensure that residents are still able to contact their elected representatives.”
Lancashire Police confirmed it had been made aware of the phone calls, and said “it is being looked into”.
The search for Nicola is today entering its 20th day.
Police were seen scouring a caravan site on Sunday just yards from where the mum disappeared on January 27.
Officers were also compiling a list of all registered sex offenders in the area as is protocol, according to a former Scotland Yard detective.
Prior to that it was revealed police were looking into two men trying to hide their faces near Nicola’s dog-walking route the day before she went missing.
Cops have been standing by their “main working hypothesis” that the mum fell into the river but said they were keeping an “open mind”.
But Nicola’s partner Paul Ansell said in recent days that he is “100 per cent” convinced the mother of his children is not in the river.
The dad-of-two revealed he thought a local was behind the disappearance.
Police scoured the caravan park nearby in the search for Nicola[/caption]
Cutting VAT on telephone, mobile and broadband bills could save customers £120 a year, says Which?
MILLIONS of households could save £120 a year if VAT was cut on telephone, mobile and broadband bills, according to Which?.
Over six million households are struggling to pay their bills due to the cost of living crisis, the consumer group warned.
Almost six million households are struggling to afford essential communication services[/caption]
Households, including those on cheaper social tariffs for low-incomes, currently pay 20 percent VAT on bills.
Which? says that by cutting the VAT rate from 20 percent to 5 percent would see bills drop by an average of £120 a year.
It would also bring the rate in line with other essential bills, such as gas and electricity.
Households have been hit by broadband bill rises adding up to hundreds of pounds this year, while grappling with soaring inflation and energy bills.
READ MORE IN MONEY
Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy, said: “The fact that millions of households have made sacrifices to prioritise their broadband and mobile connections during the cost of living crisis demonstrates how essential these services are.
“To help cut bill costs, the next Prime Minister should reduce the VAT paid on telecoms in line with other essential services.”
A Treasury spokesperson said: “We understand that people are struggling with rising prices which is why we have acted to protect the 8 million most vulnerable British families through at least £1,200 of direct payments this year.
“We have also secured strong commitments from broadband and mobile companies to help those worried about their bills during this difficult time such as allowing them to move to cheaper packages without charge or penalty, or agreeing manageable payment plans.”
Most read in Money
An Ofcom spokesperson said: “It is vital that phone and broadband services remain affordable at a time when many people are struggling with the rising cost of living.
“There is a moral imperative on providers to support for those on low incomes, and they must do as much as possible to ensure more people can take advantage of the significant savings available.”
How can I cut my bills now?
Firstly, check if you can save by switching provider. Most on average can save up to £150 a year by doing so.
If you’re out of contract, use a price comparison website such as BroadbandChoices or MoneySuperMarket to check if you can switch and save.
If you’re happy with your provider and don’t want to switch, it’s worth checking if you can bring your contract cost down by haggling.
The best deals aren’t always advertised widely and you could save £120 a year by haggling.
In fact, you may need the gift of the gab as you can often get the biggest savings by haggling with your provider.
If you’re really struggling, some firms offer social tariffs for those on the lowest incomes.
In most cases, you’ll need to be a recipient of certain benefits to qualify for these ultra-cheap tariffs.
Read More on The Sun
The benefits accepted for these tariffs are usually Universal Credit, employment and support allowance, pension credit (guarantee credit element), income support or jobseeker’s allowance.
BT, Now, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media all offer these exclusive social tariffs – with prices staring at £15 a month.