Jess Hacker

Health Policy Journalist

Jess joined Full Fact in 2024 as a health policy journalist. Before this she covered health and primary care for GP magazine Pulse and its sister titles. In 2023, she received the PPA Next Gen Award and was named in its 30 Under 30.

28 May 2026

In progress

Government Tracker

Is the government on track to capitalise Great British Energy with £8.3 billion?

By Jess Hacker • 3 mins

Full Fact looks at Labour’s pledge to fund its new publicly-owned energy company. Read

Gov Tracker

27 May 2026

Achieved

Government Tracker

Is the government on track to introduce supervised toothbrushing schemes for children?

By Jess Hacker • 2 mins

Full Fact looks at Labour’s manifesto pledge to introduce supervised toothbrushing schemes into schools and nurseries. Read

Gov Tracker

11 May 2026

Achieved

Government Tracker

Is the government on track to ensure ‘the next generation can never legally buy cigarettes’?

By Jess Hacker • 1 min

Full Fact looks at Labour’s pledge on smoking. Read

Gov Tracker

16 February 2026

In progress

Government Tracker

Is the government on track to make the NHS App a ‘full front door to the NHS’ by 2028?

By Jess Hacker • 2 mins

Full Fact looks at whether the government is meeting its pledge to transform the NHS App. Read

Gov Tracker

5 December 2025

Health

Are one in six Scots waiting for NHS care?

By Jess Hacker • 4 mins

Scottish Labour claims one in six Scots are waiting for NHS care, but official figures estimate it’s actually around one in nine, or over 11%. Read

Fact checks

29 October 2025

Health

Amish people do vaccinate - and autism exists in Amish communities

By Jess Hacker • 3 mins

Social media claims that autism is less prevalent among Amish people because they don’t get vaccinated aren’t supported by the evidence. Read

Fact checks

8 October 2025

Immigration

What support do asylum seekers get in the UK?

By Jess Hacker and Hannah Smith • 8 mins

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

30 September 2025

Culture & Society

Video of woman claiming her baby is transgender is satirical ‘rage bait’

By Jess Hacker • 2 mins

A viral clip is recirculating on social media and once again being shared as though it is genuine - but it’s not. Read

Fact checks

29 September 2025

Shopping

Argos is not giving away HP laptops

By Jess Hacker • 1 min

Social media posts claim people can get a free laptop by filling in an online form, but this is a fake offer Read

Fact checks

22 September 2025

Health

Chickenpox vaccine claims: fact checked

By Jess Hacker • 5 mins

After it was announced that young children will be offered the vaccine by the NHS in 2026, we’ve seen false and misleading claims circulating on social media. Read

Fact checks