Fact checks related to the welfare of the country, the welfare state, state spending, poverty and pensions
Economy, Business & Finance
This estimate for Labour’s welfare bill is meaningless because Labour haven’t detailed their welfare policies. Read
Economy, Business & Finance
This was recommended in a report the Centre for Social Justice. Read
This graphic comparing benefit fraud and tax fraud is wrong. It’s difficult to compare DWP and HMRC, and most of the numbers quoted are incorrect. Read
Economy, Business & Finance
Theresa May said under the Conservatives the basic state pension increased by over £1,450. That’s correct in cash terms but once you account for inflation it’s around £550 more. Read
Economy, Business & Finance
Surplus funds from National Insurance Contributions in the UK are currently invested to reduce the national debt. Read
Economy, Business & Finance
The National Audit Office says the government will never be able to measure whether Universal Credit leads to 200,000 more people in work. Read
Economy, Business & Finance
HMRC employs around 1,000 staff to work with and investigate the tax affairs of the affluent and super-rich. DWP employs around 4,000 staff in its benefit fraud team. Read
Economy, Business & Finance
There have been cases of people with terminal illnesses being declared fit to work reported by the media and charities. We don’t know how widespread this is. Read
Economy, Business & Finance
Benefit claimants saying they were single, when in fact they lived as a couple with another person, was probably the fourth most common type of benefit fraud in 2016/17. Read
Councils in England can take emergency measures to help rough sleepers during extreme weather. Read
