Economy, Business & Finance

We check facts about the UK economy. This includes money issues like prices, taxes, jobs, people out of work, and housing. We also look at how these things are different in each part of the UK.

15 November 2012

Economy, Business & Finance

Are a third of UK businesses making a loss?

After the Bank of England delivered more gloomy news for the UK economy yesterday, the Mail this morning warned that one in three British companies were losing money. Is the situation as bleak as this suggests? Read

Analysis
14 November 2012

Economy, Business & Finance

Do more unionised workers mean more strikes?

Today marks the first Pan-European general strike, as 40 trade unions across 23 European countries take to the streets in protest at austerity measures imposed by governments attempting to cut … Read

Analysis
13 November 2012

Economy, Business & Finance

Are a million women 'missing' from the UK economy?

In an article trailing the government's announcement that it will extend the right to work flexible hours to all employees, the Guardian reported that one million women are "missing" from the UK economy. What does this mean and where is this number from? Read

Analysis
8 November 2012

Economy, Business & Finance

Gender pay gap: How is Britain faring?

Forty-two years after the Equal Pay act was passed in parliament, female executives are losing just under £500,000 to their male counterparts over the course of their careers. At least, … Read

Analysis
5 November 2012

Economy, Business & Finance

How many workers earn less than the living wage?

At the start of 'Living Wage week', Full Fact explores the numbers behind the morning's news. Do five million of us earn less than the Wage? Read

Analysis
26 October 2012

Economy, Business & Finance

Two-child benefits cap: how much will we save exactly?

The Work and Pensions Secretary has announced plans to limit child benefits and tax credits to a family's first two children. Will this cut get us any closer to reaching the £10 billion which still needs to be slashed from the welfare budget? Read

Analysis
24 October 2012

Economy, Business & Finance

How many sickness benefit claimants are fit for work?

After another release of statistics on Employment and Support Allowance Work Capability Assessment outcomes, have the news outlets passed the test for reporting the figures accurately? Read

Analysis
23 October 2012

Economy, Business & Finance

Will millions of Britons never be able to retire?

Today's newspapers report that millions of people will be forced to work up until their deaths because they don't have sufficient savings to retire. But do the statistics support this claim? Read

Analysis
16 October 2012

Economy, Business & Finance

Are nine out of ten Scots a burden on the state?

Following a speech to the Conservative Conference Scottish fringe last week Ruth Davidson - the leader of the Scottish Conservatives - was slammed for suggesting that only 12% of Scots were net contributors to the economy. What do the numbers say? Read

Analysis