Economy, Business & Finance
How much is being spent on benefits?
We’ve answered some commonly asked questions about the benefits system. Read
Analysis
Welfare
Fact checks related to the welfare of the country, the welfare state, state spending, poverty and pensions
Economy, Business & Finance
Daily Mail corrects claim about welfare and income tax
It is not true that welfare payments have just exceeded income tax receipts “for the first time”. They’ve been higher for at least 16 years. Read
Fact check
Economy, Business & Finance
Welfare payments have not exceeded income tax ‘for the first time ever’
Welfare spending, which includes state pensions, has been higher than income tax for at least 13 years, contrary to a claim in the Conservatives’ Alternative King’s Speech. Read
Fact check
Immigration
What support do asylum seekers get in the UK?
Can asylum seekers claim benefits, use the NHS or get a free iPhone? We’ve answered some of the most common questions we see about the support given. Read
Analysis
Politics
Child poverty and the two-child benefit limit: explained
Our explainer looks at the different ways child poverty is measured, and the impact of the two-child benefit limit. Read
Analysis
Economy, Business & Finance
How much is the ‘welfare bill’ set to increase by?
The Prime Minister and others have claimed “welfare” or “social security” spending is set to increase to £70 billion by the end of the decade—but this figure refers to one part of overall spending. Read
Fact check
Viral post comparing benefit fraud with tax avoidance and evasion is inaccurate
The post makes incorrect claims, including that tax avoidance and evasion cost the UK 100 times more than benefit fraud. Read
Fact check
Facebook post wrongly implies migrants receiving benefits are exempt from paying council tax
There is no automatic exemption for all migrants, although some may be exempt or receive discounts for the same reasons as non-migrants. Read
Fact check
Viral post with false claims about Muslims in UK circulates again
These posts have been circulating since at least 2017, but contain claims that are either unevidenced or false. Read
Fact check
Immigration
There aren’t 1.6 million asylum seekers claiming benefits in the UK
A post circulating on social media falsely claims that there are 1.6 million asylum seekers receiving “long term benefits”. Read
Fact check
Evidence you can rely on
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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