Some years ago there were different telephone charges for the distance of calls within the UK, for instance calling a London number (01) from Manchester (061) would cost a lot more than calling one within Manchester. As a favour where telephoning would have to be made to an organisation from anywhere in the country the 0845 number was introduced where all calls were at the same rate as though locally.
This is now not serving the same purpose since calls made to anywhere in the country are now starting 01 or 02 and at a much lower rate that is the same as the local rate anyway.
However 0845 is still being used though now out of date. In many cases the 0845 charge is more than a normal 01 or 02 number and in many cases creates a charge where the dialer would have it "free" ( ie included in the total charge being paid for the service.
Why is it still being used instead of giving the organisations' numbers as 01 or 02 ones? The "favour" does not apply and it is now the reverse! Do the organisations using it now gut some refund from it and at the expense of the callers?

Should be banned as they serve no purpose whatsoever. Bring back the proper landline numbers

do you think uglypeole should wear bags over there heads?????

Only if they cannot spell "their" correctly!

whats your favorite way to eat fish + chips, ... outside your own home ??? the old fashioned way, in wrapped up newspaper, from the chip shop or in a tray from the chip shop, or in a cafe ..??? ... i prefare if you can get it, the old fashioned way in newspaper, don,t think its allowed today, health + safety etc. tut ..tut.

With fingers and out of wrapping - NOT on a plate with knife and fork.