Full Fact
@fullfact.org
Bad information ruins lives. We're a team of independent fact checkers and campaigners who find, expose and counter the harm it does. #FactsMatter
www.fullfact.org
www.fullfact.org
We’ve seen claims online that asylum seekers are being given Freedom Passes for free London travel.
They may be eligible if they meet location, age or disability criteria which apply to all Londoners. There’s no special provision for asylum seekers.
They may be eligible if they meet location, age or disability criteria which apply to all Londoners. There’s no special provision for asylum seekers.
Are asylum seekers given Freedom Passes for free travel in London? – Full Fact
There is no specific provision for asylum seekers to get free travel in London but they may be eligible for Freedom Passes like any other Londoner.
fullfact.org
December 24, 2025 at 2:02 PM
We’ve seen claims online that asylum seekers are being given Freedom Passes for free London travel.
They may be eligible if they meet location, age or disability criteria which apply to all Londoners. There’s no special provision for asylum seekers.
They may be eligible if they meet location, age or disability criteria which apply to all Londoners. There’s no special provision for asylum seekers.
A video of people waving Palestinian flags has been shared with claims it shows a ‘celebration’ in Manchester after the Bondi Beach attack.
But the clip was first posted online six months before the attack happened.
fullfact.org/world/manche...
But the clip was first posted online six months before the attack happened.
fullfact.org/world/manche...
Clip does not show people in Manchester ‘celebrating’ the Bondi Beach attack – Full Fact
The video has been shared with incorrect captions claiming it took place after the mass shooting in Sydney in December, but it has been online since June.
fullfact.org
December 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM
A video of people waving Palestinian flags has been shared with claims it shows a ‘celebration’ in Manchester after the Bondi Beach attack.
But the clip was first posted online six months before the attack happened.
fullfact.org/world/manche...
But the clip was first posted online six months before the attack happened.
fullfact.org/world/manche...
An image of a planning notice detailing a new application to house up to 800 asylum seekers in Greater Manchester has been circulating online.
But the planning notice is fake, and Stockport Council has confirmed no such application has been submitted.
But the planning notice is fake, and Stockport Council has confirmed no such application has been submitted.
Fake planning notice falsely claims application lodged for Stockport asylum seeker housing – Full Fact
Stockport Council says it has removed bogus planning notices which had been put up detailing a fake application for a temporary structure to provide accommodation for up to 800 asylum seekers.
fullfact.org
December 24, 2025 at 7:30 AM
An image of a planning notice detailing a new application to house up to 800 asylum seekers in Greater Manchester has been circulating online.
But the planning notice is fake, and Stockport Council has confirmed no such application has been submitted.
But the planning notice is fake, and Stockport Council has confirmed no such application has been submitted.
Social media posts claim 2.4m households have cancelled the BBC licence fee since 2020.
We’ve found no evidence to support this figure, which the BBC doesn’t recognise. The number of licences in force fell by around 1.5m between 2020/21 and 2024/25.
We’ve found no evidence to support this figure, which the BBC doesn’t recognise. The number of licences in force fell by around 1.5m between 2020/21 and 2024/25.
How many households have cancelled the BBC TV licence fee since 2020? – Full Fact
Claims that 2.4 million households have cancelled the licence fee since 2020 are circulating online. But we’ve found no evidence to support this figure, which the BBC says it doesn’t recognise.
fullfact.org
December 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Social media posts claim 2.4m households have cancelled the BBC licence fee since 2020.
We’ve found no evidence to support this figure, which the BBC doesn’t recognise. The number of licences in force fell by around 1.5m between 2020/21 and 2024/25.
We’ve found no evidence to support this figure, which the BBC doesn’t recognise. The number of licences in force fell by around 1.5m between 2020/21 and 2024/25.
2025 was the year AI turbocharged online misinformation, while Reform UK vs Labour is becoming a key battleground for political claims.
But what else have our fact checkers learned in the last 12 months - and what lessons will we be taking into 2026?
But what else have our fact checkers learned in the last 12 months - and what lessons will we be taking into 2026?
Five lessons from our fact checking in 2025 – Full Fact
What changes have our fact checkers on the frontline of the fight against misinformation seen over the past 12 months—and what might that mean for 2026?
fullfact.org
December 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
2025 was the year AI turbocharged online misinformation, while Reform UK vs Labour is becoming a key battleground for political claims.
But what else have our fact checkers learned in the last 12 months - and what lessons will we be taking into 2026?
But what else have our fact checkers learned in the last 12 months - and what lessons will we be taking into 2026?
A new wave of fake stories about curbs on personal freedoms and bogus taxes has had millions of views on social media.
In the three months since we first wrote about this trend, we’ve fact checked a further 45 claims.
Our new investigation 👇
In the three months since we first wrote about this trend, we’ve fact checked a further 45 claims.
Our new investigation 👇
New wave of fake stories about curbs on personal freedoms and bogus taxes rack up millions of views on social media – Full Fact
In the three months since we first covered the problem, we’ve fact checked a further 45 false and misleading claims, about everything from nighttime curfews to a “Christmas decorations tax”.
fullfact.org
December 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM
A new wave of fake stories about curbs on personal freedoms and bogus taxes has had millions of views on social media.
In the three months since we first wrote about this trend, we’ve fact checked a further 45 claims.
Our new investigation 👇
In the three months since we first wrote about this trend, we’ve fact checked a further 45 claims.
Our new investigation 👇
Claims David Lammy racked up half a million pounds of food and drink expenses as foreign secretary have been circulating again online.
But as we’ve explained before, this figure relates to the Foreign Office’s entire departmental expenses - not his personal spending.
But as we’ve explained before, this figure relates to the Foreign Office’s entire departmental expenses - not his personal spending.
Facebook posts falsely claim David Lammy personally spent half a million pounds on food and drink expenses as foreign secretary – Full Fact
The claim, which has been circulating since the spring of this year, confuses entire departmental expenses with that of Mr Lammy’s personal expenses.
fullfact.org
December 22, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Claims David Lammy racked up half a million pounds of food and drink expenses as foreign secretary have been circulating again online.
But as we’ve explained before, this figure relates to the Foreign Office’s entire departmental expenses - not his personal spending.
But as we’ve explained before, this figure relates to the Foreign Office’s entire departmental expenses - not his personal spending.
A video which has been shared thousands of times on social media appears to show a British soldier confronting a police officer over “arresting people for words”.
But the clip is fake and has been created with AI.
But the clip is fake and has been created with AI.
Video of soldier shouting at police officer is AI-generated – Full Fact
A video shared thousands of times on social media appears to show a British soldier confronting a police officer, but is AI-generated and not genuine.
fullfact.org
December 19, 2025 at 7:01 PM
A video which has been shared thousands of times on social media appears to show a British soldier confronting a police officer over “arresting people for words”.
But the clip is fake and has been created with AI.
But the clip is fake and has been created with AI.
After contact from Full Fact, the Times has corrected a headline that wrongly claimed analysis found that “migrants’ partners” cost Britain £5.6 billion over their lifetime.
Here’s why that isn’t quite right 👇
Here’s why that isn’t quite right 👇
The Times corrects inaccurate headline about cost of ‘migrants’ partners’ – Full Fact
A new figure from the Migration Advisory Committee estimates the total net lifetime fiscal cost of people who arrived in the UK in 2022/23 through the Partner route of the Family visa—which includes…
fullfact.org
December 19, 2025 at 2:01 PM
After contact from Full Fact, the Times has corrected a headline that wrongly claimed analysis found that “migrants’ partners” cost Britain £5.6 billion over their lifetime.
Here’s why that isn’t quite right 👇
Here’s why that isn’t quite right 👇
Labour MP Oliver Ryan said on Monday that resident doctors got a 29% pay rise “last year”.
But the 29% figure for doctors in England actually represents the combined effect of several pay rises over three years, including the current one.
But the 29% figure for doctors in England actually represents the combined effect of several pay rises over three years, including the current one.
Resident doctors’ 29% pay rise was over a three-year period – Full Fact
Labour MP Oliver Ryan and some on social media have said resident doctors got a 29% rise “last year”, but the increase was actually over multiple years.
fullfact.org
December 18, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Labour MP Oliver Ryan said on Monday that resident doctors got a 29% pay rise “last year”.
But the 29% figure for doctors in England actually represents the combined effect of several pay rises over three years, including the current one.
But the 29% figure for doctors in England actually represents the combined effect of several pay rises over three years, including the current one.
The BMA claims resident doctors’ pay is worth 21% less than in 2008/9.
But this is based on some questionable assumptions. Our independently verified analysis, using a different inflation measure backed by the Royal Statistical Society, suggests the fall’s more like 6-7%.
But this is based on some questionable assumptions. Our independently verified analysis, using a different inflation measure backed by the Royal Statistical Society, suggests the fall’s more like 6-7%.
Have resident doctors really had a 21% real-terms pay cut? – Full Fact
The figure cited by the BMA is based on an unreliable measure of inflation. Other measures suggest the drop has been less. Our analysis using a measure backed by the Royal Statistical Society puts the...
fullfact.org
December 18, 2025 at 12:11 PM
The BMA claims resident doctors’ pay is worth 21% less than in 2008/9.
But this is based on some questionable assumptions. Our independently verified analysis, using a different inflation measure backed by the Royal Statistical Society, suggests the fall’s more like 6-7%.
But this is based on some questionable assumptions. Our independently verified analysis, using a different inflation measure backed by the Royal Statistical Society, suggests the fall’s more like 6-7%.
An image of a man being made-up with fake blood has been shared with claims it shows a ‘crisis actor’ at the Bondi Beach shooting.
But this picture is AI and not real. Arsen Ostrovsky was treated in hospital for his genuine injuries from the attack.
But this picture is AI and not real. Arsen Ostrovsky was treated in hospital for his genuine injuries from the attack.
Fake AI image of Bondi Beach victim having blood applied circulates online – Full Fact
The AI generated picture has been circulating widely on social media alongside completely false claims the man pictured was a ‘crisis actor’ and never really injured.
fullfact.org
December 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM
An image of a man being made-up with fake blood has been shared with claims it shows a ‘crisis actor’ at the Bondi Beach shooting.
But this picture is AI and not real. Arsen Ostrovsky was treated in hospital for his genuine injuries from the attack.
But this picture is AI and not real. Arsen Ostrovsky was treated in hospital for his genuine injuries from the attack.
New figures published yesterday show unemployment is continuing to increase.
Our updated explainer looks at how things have changed during Labour’s time in government so far.
Our updated explainer looks at how things have changed during Labour’s time in government so far.
Unemployment and jobs: what’s changed under Labour? – Full Fact
Labour and the Conservatives have made seemingly contrasting claims about the state of the labour market—here’s what the figures show.
fullfact.org
December 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
New figures published yesterday show unemployment is continuing to increase.
Our updated explainer looks at how things have changed during Labour’s time in government so far.
Our updated explainer looks at how things have changed during Labour’s time in government so far.
The Prime Minister Keir Starmer was challenged at #PMQs about the resident doctors strike, which began today.
Read our up-to-date explainer on what these doctors are paid - and why they are striking.
Read our up-to-date explainer on what these doctors are paid - and why they are striking.
Resident doctors’ pay: how much do they earn and what is the BMA calling for? – Full Fact
Resident (formerly “junior”) doctors voted to support strikes in 2025. We explain how much different types of resident doctor get paid, and what their union has called for.
fullfact.org
December 17, 2025 at 12:53 PM
The Prime Minister Keir Starmer was challenged at #PMQs about the resident doctors strike, which began today.
Read our up-to-date explainer on what these doctors are paid - and why they are striking.
Read our up-to-date explainer on what these doctors are paid - and why they are striking.
At #PMQs Kemi Badenoch twice claimed unemployment has gone up “every single month” under Labour.
Unemployment has risen overall but this isn’t quite right, as we wrote earlier this year 👇
Unemployment has risen overall but this isn’t quite right, as we wrote earlier this year 👇
Unemployment has risen under Labour - but it hasn’t gone up ‘every single month’ – Full Fact
We’ve looked into the numbers after claims from a number of Conservative MPs, including the party’s leader Kemi Badenoch.
fullfact.org
December 17, 2025 at 12:37 PM
At #PMQs Kemi Badenoch twice claimed unemployment has gone up “every single month” under Labour.
Unemployment has risen overall but this isn’t quite right, as we wrote earlier this year 👇
Unemployment has risen overall but this isn’t quite right, as we wrote earlier this year 👇
A man hailed as a hero for tackling one of the Bondi Beach suspects has been misidentified in posts circulating online.
The posts falsely claim that he’s named ‘Edward Crabtree’ - when his identity has been confirmed as Ahmed al Ahmed.
The posts falsely claim that he’s named ‘Edward Crabtree’ - when his identity has been confirmed as Ahmed al Ahmed.
Man who tackled Bondi Beach suspect misidentified online – Full Fact
Posts shared widely on social media have falsely claimed that the man who tackled one of the suspected gunmen was named ‘Edward Crabtree’.
fullfact.org
December 16, 2025 at 2:22 PM
A man hailed as a hero for tackling one of the Bondi Beach suspects has been misidentified in posts circulating online.
The posts falsely claim that he’s named ‘Edward Crabtree’ - when his identity has been confirmed as Ahmed al Ahmed.
The posts falsely claim that he’s named ‘Edward Crabtree’ - when his identity has been confirmed as Ahmed al Ahmed.
The BMA confirmed today a five-day strike will go ahead from Wednesday.
Read our article about resident doctors’ pay to find out what they earn right now, and what the doctors’ union is asking for.
Read our article about resident doctors’ pay to find out what they earn right now, and what the doctors’ union is asking for.
Resident doctors’ pay: how much do they earn and what is the BMA calling for? – Full Fact
Resident (formerly “junior”) doctors voted to support strikes in 2025. We explain how much different types of resident doctor get paid, and what their union has called for.
fullfact.org
December 15, 2025 at 3:25 PM
The BMA confirmed today a five-day strike will go ahead from Wednesday.
Read our article about resident doctors’ pay to find out what they earn right now, and what the doctors’ union is asking for.
Read our article about resident doctors’ pay to find out what they earn right now, and what the doctors’ union is asking for.
At this afternoon’s Liaison Committee the PM, Keir Starmer, was asked about our fact check of his claim last week that the number of teachers has increased under Labour.
Read our verdict here: fullfact.org/education/pm...
Read our verdict here: fullfact.org/education/pm...
December 15, 2025 at 3:05 PM
At this afternoon’s Liaison Committee the PM, Keir Starmer, was asked about our fact check of his claim last week that the number of teachers has increased under Labour.
Read our verdict here: fullfact.org/education/pm...
Read our verdict here: fullfact.org/education/pm...
Videos claiming that Sadiq Khan cancelled the King’s ‘garden bridge ceremony’, leading to a political row and protests have been viewed widely on Facebook.
But these are completely false. There was no such event, and it was never scrapped.
But these are completely false. There was no such event, and it was never scrapped.
False claims Sadiq Khan cancelled non-existent royal ‘garden bridge ceremony’ circulate online – Full Fact
Videos claiming that the Mayor of London has clashed with King Charles after the cancellation of an event has been viewed over 100,000 times on Facebook.
fullfact.org
December 13, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Videos claiming that Sadiq Khan cancelled the King’s ‘garden bridge ceremony’, leading to a political row and protests have been viewed widely on Facebook.
But these are completely false. There was no such event, and it was never scrapped.
But these are completely false. There was no such event, and it was never scrapped.
Earlier this week Kemi Badenoch criticised the government’s use of relative low income as a measure of poverty.
Our recently updated child poverty explainer looks at the various ways in which the scale of poverty can be measured.
Our recently updated child poverty explainer looks at the various ways in which the scale of poverty can be measured.
Child poverty and the two-child benefit cap: explained – Full Fact
Our explainer looks at the different ways child poverty is measured, and the impact of the two-child benefit cap.
fullfact.org
December 13, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Earlier this week Kemi Badenoch criticised the government’s use of relative low income as a measure of poverty.
Our recently updated child poverty explainer looks at the various ways in which the scale of poverty can be measured.
Our recently updated child poverty explainer looks at the various ways in which the scale of poverty can be measured.
CEO Chris Morris joins @politico.eu's Westminster Insider podcast to unpack narratives, lies, and the blurry boundaries of political spin.
🎧 Give it a listen:
🎧 Give it a listen:
Westminster Insider
Podcast · POLITICO · POLITICO’s weekly political series lifts the curtain on how Westminster really works, offering in-depth insight into the political issues which typically only get broad-brush…
open.spotify.com
December 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM
CEO Chris Morris joins @politico.eu's Westminster Insider podcast to unpack narratives, lies, and the blurry boundaries of political spin.
🎧 Give it a listen:
🎧 Give it a listen:
With new figures today estimating the UK’s GDP shrank by 0.1% in October, a reminder our Government Tracker is monitoring progress on Labour’s pledge to have the “highest sustained growth in the G7”.
We’re still rating this as ‘appears off track’ 👇
We’re still rating this as ‘appears off track’ 👇
Is the government on course to secure ‘the highest sustained growth in the G7’? – Full Fact
Full Fact looks at Labour’s pledge to kickstart economic growth, from the first of the party’s “five missions to rebuild Britain”.
fullfact.org
December 12, 2025 at 7:01 PM
With new figures today estimating the UK’s GDP shrank by 0.1% in October, a reminder our Government Tracker is monitoring progress on Labour’s pledge to have the “highest sustained growth in the G7”.
We’re still rating this as ‘appears off track’ 👇
We’re still rating this as ‘appears off track’ 👇
A post shared on Facebook claims 110,000 Brits aged 16-34 have left the country “since June this year”.
That’s not what the latest figures show.
That’s not what the latest figures show.
Figures don’t show 110,000 young Brits have left the UK since June – Full Fact
A post on Facebook incorrectly claims that 110,000 British nationals aged 16-34 have left the UK “since June of this year”.
fullfact.org
December 11, 2025 at 7:00 PM
A post shared on Facebook claims 110,000 Brits aged 16-34 have left the country “since June this year”.
That’s not what the latest figures show.
That’s not what the latest figures show.
At #PMQs yesterday Keir Starmer claimed the number of teachers has gone up under Labour, but the Conservatives claimed it’s actually gone down.
Who’s right? We’ve taken a look at the figures. 🔍
Who’s right? We’ve taken a look at the figures. 🔍
How has the number of teachers changed under Labour? – Full Fact
The Prime Minister claimed the number of teachers has increased since the election, while the Conservatives have claimed there are 400 fewer.
fullfact.org
December 11, 2025 at 4:58 PM
At #PMQs yesterday Keir Starmer claimed the number of teachers has gone up under Labour, but the Conservatives claimed it’s actually gone down.
Who’s right? We’ve taken a look at the figures. 🔍
Who’s right? We’ve taken a look at the figures. 🔍
Videos viewed hundreds of thousands of times online claim that from 2 January 2026, a new £90 deduction, called the “Debt Recovery Contribution”, will appear automatically on people’s payslips.
But this isn’t true.
But this isn’t true.
The government won’t be taking £90 from people’s payslips to tackle the national debt – Full Fact
Videos widely shared online claim that workers will see a £90 “debt recovery contribution” on their payslips from January 2026. But this isn’t true.
fullfact.org
December 10, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Videos viewed hundreds of thousands of times online claim that from 2 January 2026, a new £90 deduction, called the “Debt Recovery Contribution”, will appear automatically on people’s payslips.
But this isn’t true.
But this isn’t true.