The APPG, which is made up of MPs from across the UK and the political spectrum, was 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 launched the inquiry into nuisance calls back in July, with the aim of finding a solution to the menace affecting so many people across the UK.
The Inquiry was extremely well received across the industry with telecoms providers, regulators, consumer groups and solution providers all contributing, as well as members of the public.
In addition, Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP Steve Brine, who attended the launch of the report on Thursday 31st October, appeared on Meridian Tonight to raise the issue, as well as meeting with some concerned constituents .
The report was presented to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Ed Vaizey MP, ahead of its official launch on Thursday 31st October.
Steve said: "My constituents across Winchester & Chandler's Ford contact me regularly, expressing how fed up they are of being constantly pestered by nuisance calls and spam text messages. It is appalling that consumers are not being properly protected and are being targeted every day.
"Doing nothing is, quite bluntly, no longer an option, and this report paints a worrying picture of a country under siege. Whilst some progress has been made recently, it is simply not enough. The report clearly sets out recommendations which can easily be implemented by Government and industry.
"Many of the recommendations are already included in Mike Crockart MP's Private Member's Bill and Alun Cairns MP's 10 Minute Rule Bill.
"We need action now, not in a year's time. I hope the regulators, Government and industry rise to the challenge laid down by this report and make the necessary changes which are so desperately needed."
Richard Lloyd, Which? Executive Director said: "Millions of us are being bombarded with nuisance calls and texts and people are totally sick and tired of it. We're pleased to see MPs recognising that the current system is failing the public and that the Government must go further and faster to call time on this menace.
"We need to see the law strengthened so people have greater control over use of their personal data and to make it easier for regulators to take action against companies breaking the rules."
Pictured; Steve met with concerned constituents at his busy surgery on Jewry Street
More information ...
Download the full report here
Visit Steve dedicated web-page here where you can access a wealth of information and help on dealing with this.
Alternatively, you can pick up a handy guide to combating nuisance calls, which is particularly useful for elderly and vulnerable people, at Steve's constituency office at 9 Stockbridge Road.