Image of hay bales and tractors by the Eiffel Tower is AI-generated
This comes amid farmer protests across France. Read
Fact check
Fact checks
From false health claims to misleading statements on immigration, politics and conflict—our expert team delivers impartial, evidence based fact checks.
Photo does not show farmers protesting in Italy
Although farmers are protesting across Europe, an image circulating on social media doesn’t show a recent protest in Verona. It’s actually of a demonstration by farmers in Paris in 2010. Read
Fact check
Economy, Business & Finance
How many people use food banks?
Labour and the TUC have claimed there are 2.98 million people now using food banks—but this figure appears to actually be the number of parcels handed out by the Trussell Trust. Read
Fact check
The UK doesn’t currently spend 2.5% of GDP on defence
A front page story in the Daily Telegraph incorrectly suggested the government’s defence spending target had already been met. Read
Fact check
Posts on social media misidentify US troops killed in air strikes
The posts share photos showing soldiers who were killed in Jordan in 2016 not January 2024 as claimed. Read
Fact check
Photo of Russian jet has been online for nearly eight years
The photo of the Tu-160 was posted on Instagram in 2016. Read
Fact check
Immigration
The UK’s population is projected to reach 73.7 million by 2036, not 2026
An article in the Daily Telegraph mistakenly claims that new projections estimate the UK’s population will increase by nearly 10% by mid-2026. Read
Fact check
Image of babies in incubator in Gaza is from 2017
The photo has been shared alongside a caption implying it was taken during the current conflict. Read
Fact check
Health
Rishi Sunak wrong to say 18-week waits have fallen since pledge
The Prime Minister may have meant to say in a Telegraph article that waits of 18 months have fallen, which they have. Read
Fact check
Footage does not show protesting French farmers digging up highways leading to Paris
While farmers have been protesting across France, the footage is from a supermarket car park in a town 365 miles south of Paris. 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.
Subscribe to weekly email newsletters from Full Fact for updates on politics, immigration, health and more. Our fact checks are free to read but not to produce, so you will also get occasional emails about fundraising and other ways you can help. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information about how we use your data see our Privacy Policy.