http://www.theguardian.com/money/2013/n ... alls-fines

Is it just me or does that read like the banks had a word with the government?

I think it's more likely the large number of people for whom unsolicited calls are a massive pain the arse had a word with the government. Or at least, the government spotted an easy win, something that will take little effort, will be easy to implement - not the least because the large majority of cold call agencies aren't within UK jurisdiction - and will make some gullible people think the current administration isn't such a bunch of irredeemable ****s. Which of course they are, it's just as the saying goes 'nobody went bust by overestimating the stupidity of the public'.

There is no reason to do it through a claim company. It can be done by the individual themselves.

Lazy, don't know better, no time to do it, moving house, got a lot of claims and poor at managing paperwork

There are reasons, but they're all VERY weak

My dad did it all himself and got nearly £10000 back. You are right that they are weak reasons. Even for those that do not know how to do it they could always start with Google, or asking someone else for advice.

It seems strange that there's no law banning UK firms from using foreign firms to do their cold calling for them.

It might be deemed anti competitive and so be illegal to even attempt.