Written question asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 20 October 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 22 October 2009. It was answered by Pat McFadden (Labour) on Monday, 26 October 2009 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Telephone Services: Fife

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of (a) households and (b) businesses in (i) Fife and (ii) North East Fife constituency which will be (A) liable for and (B) exempt from payment of the levy on telephone lines proposed in the Digital Britain White Paper.

Answer: This Department has made no specific estimate of the number of (a) households and (b) businesses in (i) Fife and (ii) North East Fife constituency which will be (A) liable for and (B) exempt from payment of the levy on telephone lines proposed in the Digital Britain White Paper.Ofcom estimates that there are 172,121 fixed lines in the Fife area. We do not have estimates on the number of people on benefits in this constituency but recognise that those on the lowest incomes might have difficulty paying the fixed line levy and that is why we have confirmed that those on social telephony schemes will be exempt. The social telephony schemes are available to those on Income support, Income-based job seeker's allowance, employment support allowance (income rated) or guaranteed pensions credit and should be an accurate indication of ability to pay.

Secondary information