The economy

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

7 September 2023

House prices haven’t fallen to a 14-year low

A since-deleted post from the Daily Telegraph wrongly claimed house prices had fallen to “14-year lows”.

House prices haven’t fallen to a 14-year low

21 August 2023

What do the latest wage growth figures actually show?

Contrasting claims about wage growth have been made on social media following the release of new data.

What do the latest wage growth figures actually show?

17 August 2023

Around 60% of people in poverty live in households where at least one adult is in work

Dame Angela Eagle claimed 60% of people in poverty are in work. This isn't quite right. The percentage of working age adults who are in relative poverty and who are …

Around 60% of people in poverty live in households where at least one adult is in work

8 August 2023

Minister’s claim on Aberdeenshire council tax increase missing context

Under Scottish government plans currently under consultation, only properties in Band H in Aberdeenshire would see an increase of £768.12 in council tax.

Minister’s claim on Aberdeenshire council tax increase missing context

8 August 2023

Will the government meet its inflation pledge?

We’ve looked at the numbers behind the Prime Minister’s pledge to halve inflation by the end of the year.

Will the government meet its inflation pledge?

3 August 2023

An estimated 250,000 children would be lifted out of poverty if the two-child benefit limit was removed

A social media post claims that 1.5 million children were pushed into poverty by the two-child limit. The estimated number in poverty because of the limit is lower.

An estimated 250,000 children would be lifted out of poverty if the two-child benefit limit was removed

2 August 2023

Having a sharia-compliant mortgage doesn’t mean stamp duty isn’t paid

Turning Point UK claimed that you’re exempt from paying stamp duty if you follow sharia law. Stamp duty is paid on all liable properties, even with a sharia-compliant mortgage.

Having a sharia-compliant mortgage doesn’t mean stamp duty isn’t paid

18 July 2023

Sky News article wrongly claims falling inflation figures mean decline in checkout costs

It’s not necessarily the case that lower inflation means things cost less than before. Kantar’s data shows prices are still rising, but less steeply than previously.

Sky News article wrongly claims falling inflation figures mean decline in checkout costs

13 July 2023

The UK’s tax revenue isn’t £40 billion less than it used to be ‘because of Brexit’

A now-corrected article in The Guardian fails to make clear that a figure estimating the impact of Brexit on UK tax revenues is based on a counterfactual analysis.

The UK’s tax revenue isn’t £40 billion less than it used to be ‘because of Brexit’

12 July 2023

Conservative and Labour claims on house building fact checked

We’ve seen a number of seemingly contradictory claims at the last two PMQs. Some are more accurate than others, but none tell the full story.

Conservative and Labour claims on house building fact checked

The economy

House prices haven’t fallen to a 14-year low

What do the latest wage growth figures actually show?

Around 60% of people in poverty live in households where at least one adult is in work

Minister’s claim on Aberdeenshire council tax increase missing context

Will the government meet its inflation pledge?

An estimated 250,000 children would be lifted out of poverty if the two-child benefit limit was removed

Having a sharia-compliant mortgage doesn’t mean stamp duty isn’t paid

Sky News article wrongly claims falling inflation figures mean decline in checkout costs

The UK’s tax revenue isn’t £40 billion less than it used to be ‘because of Brexit’

Conservative and Labour claims on house building fact checked

Full Fact fights bad information