I’m sorry, but I can’t help but treat this cynically. Telstra says it will offer phone bill rebates for “calls made by customers in Australia checking on family members in London, or those in London calling home to speak to family. “

Oh, and it’s only for a 24 hour window. Oh, and you don’t get it automatically, you have to ring a special number which will be printed on your next phone bill.

If you, or another family member, were “hospitalised” as a result of the blast you’ll get rebates for one month.

It just smacks of a bureaucratic response, it’s limited, it’s complicated and you have to do something (ring the number) to claim.

How about something much simpler – all calls to the UK for a few days be free of charge?