Claims that a no deal Brexit “will cost us nothing” are incorrect
The government has already spent money preparing for it, and it may reduce economic performance in the long term. Read
Fact checks
Europe
We do fact checks and explain news from Europe and the UK's links with it, so you can understand the big stories.
Was the vote to leave the “largest democratic vote” in British history?
More people voted to leave the EU in 2016 than have voted for any other single electoral option in British political history. But that’s not the only way to define “largest democratic vote”. Read
Fact checks
Polish pensions are not directly subsidised by the UK
As of 2018, the most common retirement age for men and women in the EU was 65. In some countries, women can retire as early as 60. Read
Fact checks
This post about EU budget contributions is misleading
The next EU budget is being planned to exclude the UK, and we also don’t know for sure what would happen to the UK’s rebate if it stayed in the EU. Read
Fact checks
Europe
Does 61% of the country now back Remain?
Polls suggesting 61% of people would back remain in a second referendum are probably overstating the lead. Read
Fact checks
Europe
The UK can’t be forced to leave the EU or to join the euro
The UK cannot be forced to join the euro if it remains a member of the EU. The EU could apply political pressure on the UK to do so, but this is highly unlikely in the current political context. Read
Analysis
Europe
The UK won’t have to adopt the Euro by 2020
Even if the UK is still in the EU next year, the Lisbon treaty does not force it to adopt the Euro. The UK has an opt-out from this. Read
Fact checks
How did different constituencies vote in the 2016 EU referendum?
These figures about how constituencies voted in the referendum show the right general pattern according to best estimates. Read
Fact checks
Europe
What will happen to your vote in the upcoming EU parliament elections?
Smaller parties are disadvantaged by the voting system in Great Britain, so it’s harder to win as many seats as larger, unified voting blocs. Read
Fact checks
Germany doesn’t “owe” the UK £3.7 trillion of war debt
Property damage after the Second World War was valued at around £1.5 billion at the time. Read
Fact checks
