Get the facts on the government's role in the economy

10 September 2021

No, health won’t account for 40% of all public spending

Health will account for around 40% of the day-to-day spending that can be budgeted by departments, which itself only accounts for about half of government spending.

No, health won’t account for 40% of all public spending

8 September 2021

What the National Insurance rise means for the tax burden

It’s been claimed the NI rise will take the tax burden to the highest level “in history”, in peacetime, since 1948, since 1950 and since 1969.

What the National Insurance rise means for the tax burden

5 March 2021

Did Eat Out to Help Out cause Covid to spread?

Debate over whether the government scheme caused a rise in infections continues.

Did Eat Out to Help Out cause Covid to spread?

4 March 2021

Details missing on levelling up funding

A list of priority areas due to receive early funding from the new “Levelling Up Fund” has been published. The rationale for why certain areas are prioritised has not.

2 July 2020

What was the New Deal?

The Prime Minister recently compared the government’s policy program to Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal. They’re not on the same scale.

14 January 2020

State spending isn’t at a record high when you consider the size of the economy

Public spending amounts to around 40% of the size of the economy. It’s been smaller before. It’s also been bigger before.

State spending isn’t at a record high when you consider the size of the economy

20 November 2019

Public spending on buses not down by half in a decade

Funding from local authorities in England (excluding London) is down 43%, and this excludes money from central government which has not seen such large falls.

Public spending on buses not down by half in a decade

17 October 2019

There are some problems with this estimate of Labour’s nationalisation plans

Analysis says nationalisation will cost £196 billion or shareholders will suffer losses. Some outlets said both would occur.

There are some problems with this estimate of Labour’s nationalisation plans

16 October 2019

Viral post about Conservatives’ record in government gets lots of things wrong

It incorrectly claims that child poverty is up 50%, crime is up 30%, and public sector pay is down 15%.

Viral post about Conservatives’ record in government gets lots of things wrong

11 July 2019

Would a corporation tax cut more than pay for itself, as Jeremy Hunt suggests?

Cutting corporation tax could lead to economic growth over the long-term, but is still expected to cost more than it raises.

Would a corporation tax cut more than pay for itself, as Jeremy Hunt suggests?

The government's role in the economy

No, health won’t account for 40% of all public spending

What the National Insurance rise means for the tax burden

Did Eat Out to Help Out cause Covid to spread?

Details missing on levelling up funding

What was the New Deal?

State spending isn’t at a record high when you consider the size of the economy

Public spending on buses not down by half in a decade

There are some problems with this estimate of Labour’s nationalisation plans

Viral post about Conservatives’ record in government gets lots of things wrong

Would a corporation tax cut more than pay for itself, as Jeremy Hunt suggests?

Full Fact fights bad information