EE/T-Mobile/Orange have quite a strict unlock policy, in that you need to have been an EE customer and using the handset in question on the EE network in the UK for at least 6 months before they will consider unlocking it. EE also charge £20.42 as well
(this applies to all handsets and not not iPhones)
I recently got my EE provided iPhone 5S unlocked the other month and it took just over a week to complete.
In case you are unaware, iPhone unlocking is different to other handsets. No unlock code is entered into the handset. You request the unlock from your network giving them your handset's details including it's IMEI, once approved they then send the details to Apple who unlock your handset by charging it's status on their servers. To complete the unlock process, you need to insert a different SIM card into the iPhone and follow the on-screen instructions or sync it with iTunes via a PC/Mac.
Apple will not unlock iPhones directly and all iPhones purchased directly from Apple UK are always unlocked.
BTW EE now also include 080 numbers in all their 'Extra' 4G tariffs (including SIM only) taken out from Sept 1st
TBH, there's lots of ways round not paying for freephone numbers (and any 08 number) from a UK mobile. There are freephone dialler access numbers and several apps available.
All freephone numbers will have to be made free from all UK mobiles from later next year anyway. Many companies (including VS) have now also switched to using 03 numbers which helps as well as 03 numbers are usually included in call allowances on most pay monthly tariffs.