TPS changes welcome, but wider reform needed

31 October, 2013

In response to the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) Assured, StepChange Debt Charity head of policy Peter Tutton said:

“Efforts to strengthen the TPS are to be welcomed, and we hope that responsible companies will adhere to the higher industry standards. However, this does not address one of the central problems of TPS, that it does not block calls originating from overseas.

“It is essential to protect consumers, particularly those who may be vulnerable, from these often distressing and potentially harmful calls. But measures to protect consumers need to go far beyond strengthening TPS. We need greater powers for regulators and changes to allow people to regain control over their personal information.”