Fact checks related to policies of austerity and public and national debt
Economy, Business & Finance
Borrowing peaked at about 10% of the size of the economy (GDP) in 2009/10, and it’s now down to about 3.5%. That’s a relatively large deficit, but not off the scale historically. Read
Economy, Business & Finance
The deficit did fall while the Coalition was in power, but not by as much as originally planned. Read
Economy, Business & Finance
Half the Jobcentre Plus sites in Glasgow are set to close under DWP plans. The Department plans to reduce its office space nationwide by 20%. Read
Economy, Business & Finance
The Office for Budget Responsibility expect the government to have a £21 billion deficit in 2020/21. In March they had predicted an £11 billion surplus. Read
Economy, Business & Finance
Overall spending on disability benefits is forecast to increase in the coming years, even after inflation is taken into account. Read
Health
It’s correct that 40% of mental health trusts had lower income in 2015/16 compared to the previous year, according to analysis by the King’s Fund think tank. Read
Economy, Business & Finance
Latest figures forecast the UK to have a budget deficit of 3.7% of its GDP by 2015/16, down from 4.9% in 2014/15, one of the higher deficits in the developed world. Read
Fact checking claims made by politicians, public figures and viral online content can give you the full picture backed by the evidence.
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