The economy

Fact checks about the economy, covering levels of inequality, prices, taxation, employment, unemployment and housing across the UK nations and regions

25 May 2023

Rishi Sunak’s GDP growth claim based on long-term forecasts

The Prime Minister claimed the UK is forecast to have better growth than Italy, France and Germany—but this is only true when looking at long-term projections.

Rishi Sunak’s GDP growth claim based on long-term forecasts

3 May 2023

Keir Starmer’s claim about first-time buyers’ deposits based on estimate of future increases

The £9,000 figure he quoted is actually a consultancy estimate apparently showing the extra savings required for a first-time buyer’s “typical” deposit by 2030.

Keir Starmer’s claim about first-time buyers’ deposits based on estimate of future increases

23 March 2023

The Liberal Democrats, SNP and Plaid Cymru all pledge to immediately restore the overseas aid target

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey claimed his is “the only party” calling for spending on foreign aid to be restored to 0.7% of Gross National Income.

The Liberal Democrats, SNP and Plaid Cymru all pledge to immediately restore the overseas aid target

16 March 2023

Youth unemployment no longer at historic low

The rate reached its lowest level last summer but has been rising ever since.

Youth unemployment no longer at historic low

10 March 2023

The UK doesn’t have more job vacancies than unemployed people

A column by former work and pensions secretary Chloe Smith was corrected after we contacted the MP about the error.

The UK doesn’t have more job vacancies than unemployed people

3 March 2023

Was Rishi Sunak’s new claim about a house building record accurate?

The Prime Minister claimed house building has hit a record high under the current government.

Was Rishi Sunak’s new claim about a house building record accurate?

3 March 2023

Conservatives’ estimate that Labour plans would create a ‘£90 billion black hole’ is unreliable

The Conservative Party claims that Labour has pledged £90 billion worth of unfunded spending commitments. We’ve looked into how it reached this figure.

Conservatives’ estimate that Labour plans would create a ‘£90 billion black hole’ is unreliable

24 February 2023

Newspapers and health minister understate junior doctors’ pay demand

Junior doctors are asking for a pay rise of about 35%—not 26%, which is how much their union says their pay has fallen by since 2008-9.

Newspapers and health minister understate junior doctors’ pay demand

17 February 2023

Viral ‘average energy cost’ Europe price list is not what it seems

The list, which has been retweeted by a Labour MP, shows wholesale prices of electricity for a single hour in December 2022.

Viral ‘average energy cost’ Europe price list is not what it seems

15 February 2023

SNP's claim that Liz Truss’s government cost UK economy £30bn is not reliable

This figure represents an old estimate of the likely cost to the Treasury. The cost to the economy cannot be reliably measured.

SNP's claim that Liz Truss’s government cost UK economy £30bn is not reliable

The economy

Rishi Sunak’s GDP growth claim based on long-term forecasts

Keir Starmer’s claim about first-time buyers’ deposits based on estimate of future increases

The Liberal Democrats, SNP and Plaid Cymru all pledge to immediately restore the overseas aid target

Youth unemployment no longer at historic low

The UK doesn’t have more job vacancies than unemployed people

Was Rishi Sunak’s new claim about a house building record accurate?

Conservatives’ estimate that Labour plans would create a ‘£90 billion black hole’ is unreliable

Newspapers and health minister understate junior doctors’ pay demand

Viral ‘average energy cost’ Europe price list is not what it seems

SNP's claim that Liz Truss’s government cost UK economy £30bn is not reliable

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