Hannah Smith

Senior Political Journalist

Hannah joined Full Fact as a fact checker in May 2022. Before that she wrote news and features for UNILAD. She is a qualified journalist, and also has a degree in history.

9 June 2026

Unclear or disputed

Government Tracker

Has the government kept its pledge not to increase income tax rates?

By Hannah Smith • 5 mins

Full Fact looks at Labour’s manifesto commitment on income tax. Read

Gov Tracker

9 June 2026

Not kept

Government Tracker

Has the government kept its pledge on National Insurance?

By Hannah Smith • 5 mins

Full Fact looks at Labour’s manifesto pledge on National Insurance, the meaning of which has been disputed. Read

Gov Tracker

8 June 2026

Achieved

Government Tracker

Has the government created a new Border Security Command?

By Hannah Smith • 3 mins

Full Fact looks at Labour’s manifesto commitment to establish a new Border Security Command to tackle people smuggling in the Channel. Read

Gov Tracker

3 June 2026

Politics

Fake image of Andy Burnham circulates online

By Hannah Smith • 2 mins

An image circulating alongside claims Andy Burnham said he wants to “make Makerfield home for more asylum seekers” was generated by AI. Read

Fact check

2 June 2026

Sport

Police haven’t given any official estimates of the number attending Arsenal’s victory parade

By Hannah Smith • 2 mins

It’s been widely claimed online that the Metropolitan Police said 1.5 million people attended Arsenal’s title parade on Sunday—but the Met says it hasn’t given any official figures. Read

Fact check

1 June 2026

In progress

Government Tracker

Is the government on course to introduce a new participation requirement for House of Lords members?

By Hannah Smith • 2 mins

Full Fact looks at Labour’s manifesto commitment on a new participation requirement as part of a wider package of reforms to the House of Lords. Read

Gov Tracker

1 June 2026

In progress

Government Tracker

Is the government on course to introduce a mandatory retirement age for members of the House of Lords?

By Hannah Smith • 2 mins

Full Fact looks at Labour’s manifesto pledge to bring in a mandatory retirement age for House of Lords members, as part of a wider set of reforms. Read

Gov Tracker

29 May 2026

Health

Melanoma is not the ‘most common cancer globally’

By Hannah Smith • 2 mins

Articles published in the i paper and the Guardian wrongly claim that melanoma skin cancer is the most common cancer globally. Read

Fact check

28 May 2026

Economy, Business & Finance

Health and disability benefit spending is already higher than defence spending

By Hannah Smith • 2 mins

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair claimed in an article that “By the end of this decade, we could be spending more on incapacity and disability benefits than on defence.” This is true—but it’s also already the case. Read

Fact check

28 May 2026

Achieved

Government Tracker

Has the government negotiated new immigration returns arrangements?

By Hannah Smith • 3 mins

Full Fact looks at Labour’s pledge to negotiate additional returns arrangements as part of its commitment to secure borders. Read

Gov Tracker