A new off-limits register for cold calling will be impossible to police and an unnecessary bureaucratic burden on the industry, recruitment businesses have claimed. The new rules come into effect on 25th June.

Entry on the register, known as the Telephone Preference Service (TPS), has previously only been available to residential subscribers, sole traders and unincorporated partnerships. Failure to comply with the rules could lead to a £5,000 fine.

The Information Commission has urged anyone considering cold calling to check their contact list against the TPS register.

Amanda Smith, managing director of AS Recruitment, said: “Everything I do relies on cold calling and this could make things more difficult and time-consuming. It is getting harder and harder to do our jobs.”