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MPs are investigating the scandal of sky-high phone charges for benefit claimants.

It should be the shortest inquiry in Westminster history.

Surely no one can defend the use of excessive telephone bills for people most in need of financial support.

The line itself is supposed to be there to help people get advice.

But anyone using it must dial 0345 and be prepared to spend up to £9.

That’s the cost one constituent had to pay in Glasgow South West.

Local SNP MP Chris Stephens deserves credit for getting this before the Commons work and pensions committee.

He’s pursued this mean-spirited Tory scheme as well as the backwards step of mass job centre closures.

Tories in the UK Government who condone premium phone charges for claimants should be left in no doubt.

The advice is clear – drop this scandalous policy.

Shop boss Rekz warms the heart

Communities bearing the brunt of Tory austerity are showing how it should be done.

While the UK Government concentrate on premium phone numbers and benefit cuts, a shopkeeper is giving back.

Rekz Afzal opened a “community fridge” in his shop in Ferguslie Park, Paisley.

It’s an area that knowns only too well what Tory austerity looks like.

Kindhearted Rekz is offering fresh food straight from the fridge to those who need it most.

He’s recording the transactions while he works out the best way to help.

If anyone in the Tory Government is interested, that’s where the evidence is kept.

Pay attention. You might learn something.

Justice is done in Celts fan case

If anyone is in any doubt about the balancing act courts face every day, consider the plight of Tony Lavelle.

The 61-year-old acted for right-thinking Scots by showing thug John Hatton what he thought of his dumb pitch invasion at Tuesday’s Celtic-PSG match.

No one condones violence but for Hutton and anyone like him, the lesson has surely been delivered.