What do calls cost?
You pay a maximum of 10p per call. That is a flat rate regardless of how long you are on the line and this is usually cheaper than most calls to the council or police.
The Government consulted with people on charging, and research showed that a small, fixed charge would not put people off calling 101 and would help stop people making bogus calls.
The charge goes toward providing the service, not to the police or councils.
The Government intend to review the charge once the service is up and running with the aim of making it free.