News

Health secretary Steve Barclay wrong to claim NHS consultants receive tax-free pensions

By Tony Thompson • 4 mins

Retirement benefits paid to consultants are subject to tax, as they are for all pensioners. Read

Health

Food study didn’t show that later breakfasts raise diabetes risk

By Dr Fergus Brown • 4 mins

A MailOnline article and a press release both said that a new study found that eating breakfast earlier lowers the risk of diabetes. But the study did not say this. Read

Immigration

Minister wrong to claim UK is only European country not using scientific age assessments for asylum seekers

By Nasim Asl • 4 mins

Most European countries do use scientific methods to determine the ages of asylum seekers. But the UK and at least two others—Ireland and Serbia—do not. Read

Keir Starmer wrong to say turbines at UK’s largest onshore wind farm made in Indonesia

By Nasim Asl • 3 mins

Sir Keir Starmer incorrectly claimed that there are 350 Indonesian-made turbines at Whitelee Wind Farm. There are in fact 215 European-manufactured wind turbines. Read

Most international students enrolling in UK universities have to prove they’re proficient in English

By Tony Thompson • 3 mins

Reform UK politician Alex Phillips claimed international students don’t have to pass an English proficiency test, but many are required to take one. Read

Aldi coupon giveaway on Facebook is not genuine

By Sarah Turnnidge • 2 mins

Thousands of people have shared a post claiming to offer people money off their shop. Read

Most renters do not live in buy-to-let properties

By Tony Thompson • 3 mins

When the total number of renters is considered, only one third of rental properties have been purchased with this type of mortgage. Read

Picture of refugee banner wasn’t taken in France

By Sarah Turnnidge • 2 mins

A picture contrasting a pro-refugee protest with the recent riots in France has been shared hundreds of times online. Read

Zebras and lions filmed running through streets were not filmed during French riots

By Sarah Turnnidge • 3 mins

Posts claiming that protesters have released the animals from Paris Zoo have circulated extremely widely online. Read

The threshold for a recall petition to succeed is 10% of voters, not 10,000

By Hannah Smith • 3 mins

Labour MP Jonathan Reynolds claimed a recall petition requires 10,000 constituents to sign it, but in nearly all constituencies the threshold is lower. Read