Fact checks related to policies of austerity and public and national debt
Economy, Business & Finance
Borrowing peaked at about 10% of the size of the economy (GDP) in 2009/10, and it’s now down to about 3.5%. That’s a relatively large deficit, but not off the scale historically. Read
Economy, Business & Finance
The deficit did fall while the Coalition was in power, but not by as much as originally planned. Read
Economy, Business & Finance
Half the Jobcentre Plus sites in Glasgow are set to close under DWP plans. The Department plans to reduce its office space nationwide by 20%. Read
Economy, Business & Finance
The Office for Budget Responsibility expect the government to have a £21 billion deficit in 2020/21. In March they had predicted an £11 billion surplus. Read
Economy, Business & Finance
Overall spending on disability benefits is forecast to increase in the coming years, even after inflation is taken into account. Read
Health
It’s correct that 40% of mental health trusts had lower income in 2015/16 compared to the previous year, according to analysis by the King’s Fund think tank. Read
Economy, Business & Finance
Latest figures forecast the UK to have a budget deficit of 3.7% of its GDP by 2015/16, down from 4.9% in 2014/15, one of the higher deficits in the developed world. Read
