Latest fact checks

19 March 2021

Beware of scam texts claiming to be from Royal Mail

Images of text messages asking for a payment to deliver a parcel have been shared on social media.

Beware of scam texts claiming to be from Royal Mail

19 March 2021

Saying your religion is ‘Freedom’ on the census won’t make it a recognised belief

To establish a recognised belief you have to win a legal claim in court.

Saying your religion is ‘Freedom’ on the census won’t make it a recognised belief

18 March 2021

A weasel did take a ride on a woodpecker

A famous wildlife image has returned, and appears to be genuine.

A weasel did take a ride on a woodpecker

18 March 2021

The infectious diseases in an ONS graph are not the ones you might expect

The ICD 10 groups “infectious diseases” in a surprising way that includes sepsis, but not flu.

The infectious diseases in an ONS graph are not the ones you might expect

17 March 2021

Germany has spent far more than £48m on test and trace

The UK has not spent £32 billion on Test and Trace so far, and Germany has spent much more than £48 million.

Germany has spent far more than £48m on test and trace

17 March 2021

17 countries haven’t ‘banned’ the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine

Seventeen countries in Europe have temporarily stopped using the Covid-19 vaccine.

17 countries haven’t ‘banned’ the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine

16 March 2021

Clapham protester is not same woman injured in Parsons Green Tube attack

Social media posts falsely claim that a woman arrested during the Clapham vigil is the same woman who was injured in the Parsons Green Tube attack.

Clapham protester is not same woman injured in Parsons Green Tube attack

15 March 2021

The public dislikes disruptive protests—but less than the Telegraph says

People are strongly against violence or serious disruption at protests, but opinion is more balanced when the inconvenience is smaller.

The public dislikes disruptive protests—but less than the Telegraph says

15 March 2021

Extrapolating figures around long Covid in kids is not the way to go

The prevalence of long Covid in children is not yet fully known, and we need caution when we discuss the figures.

Extrapolating figures around long Covid in kids is not the way to go

15 March 2021

This text from a GP is real

Facebook users were concerned that a public health message sent by text from a GP surgery was not genuine. The GP practice has said it’s real.

12 March 2021

Clearing up the NHS pay debate

Parliament made a commitment to raise the total NHS budget, but did not specify how that money should be spent.

11 March 2021

Has the NHS had its budget reduced by £30 billion?

Labour claims that the Budget took £30bn out of day to day health spending, this is true if you include the withdrawal of last year’s Covid money.

Has the NHS had its budget reduced by £30 billion?

Latest fact checks

Beware of scam texts claiming to be from Royal Mail

Saying your religion is ‘Freedom’ on the census won’t make it a recognised belief

A weasel did take a ride on a woodpecker

The infectious diseases in an ONS graph are not the ones you might expect

Germany has spent far more than £48m on test and trace

17 countries haven’t ‘banned’ the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine

Clapham protester is not same woman injured in Parsons Green Tube attack

The public dislikes disruptive protests—but less than the Telegraph says

Extrapolating figures around long Covid in kids is not the way to go

This text from a GP is real

Clearing up the NHS pay debate

Has the NHS had its budget reduced by £30 billion?

Full Fact fights bad information