CAMPBELL CONDEMNS OFCOM’S RNLI RADIO PRICE HIKE

Sir Menzies Campbell MP has condemned the proposals from Ofcom to increase the fees by 600% that the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) pays for the use of radio channels.

The new fee, which would mean that the lifesaving charity would have to pay £260,000, has been branded by Sir Menzies as “a major drain”.

Commenting on the plan, Sir Menzies said, “Ofcom should reconsider its plans.

“I was deeply impressed by their professionalism and commitment of the Anstruther lifeboat crew who recently invited me to accompany them on one of their regular training exercises.

“I cannot understand why it is that a voluntary organisation, which does such difficult and dangerous work, should find itself having to pay more than six times the present charge to access vital radio frequencies.

“There is absolutely no doubt where public opinion and common sense lie on this issue. Ofcom needs to think again.”