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Have social housing waiting lists almost doubled in 20 years?
26 October 2023
CLAIM: Two decades ago, around 26,000 people were waiting for social housing. Now that figure is over 45,000.
Rating
ACCURATE
On 7 October, an article in the Belfast Telegraph claimed: “Two decades ago, 26,248 people were waiting for social housing. Now more than 45,000 are
Articles
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Economy
Has Northern Ireland been in fiscal deficit for most – or indeed all – of its existence?
20 September 2023
CLAIM: SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole claimed that, since it came into being a century ago, Northern Ireland has been a net recipient of UK Government funding - either in most years, or in every single year.
Rating
ACCURATE/INACCURATE
During a speech at a New Ireland Commission event on August 23, SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole said: “Northern Ireland has been in fiscal deficit for
Economy
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Europe
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Peace
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Topics
Is the EU contributing €1 billion to the PEACE PLUS fund for Northern Ireland?
13 September 2023
CLAIM: The Irish News claimed that the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar joined EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic in Belfast to announce €1 billion of EU funding for Northern Ireland.
Rating
INACCURATE WITH CONSIDERATION
On September 11 2023 The Irish News tweeted: “Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has joined EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic in Belfast to announce €1 billion of EU
Articles
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Economy
Is arts funding per capita almost five times higher in Ireland than it is in Northern Ireland?
4 July 2023
CLAIM: Central arts funding per capita in Northern Ireland is £4.72 per year, compared with £22.50 per person, per year in Ireland.
Rating
ACCURATE WITH CONSIDERATION
On 10 May, the Arts Council NI claimed on Twitter: “Our Director of Arts Development @Gcampbellini & Director of Strategic Development & Partnerships @karlygreene highlight
Articles
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Economy
Are Treasury contributions to NI going down? Is local spending rising by only 3.6% while it rises by 6% in England?
1 June 2023
CLAIM: Treasury contributions to NI public services are going down. At the same time, by 2025 spending in England is set to rise by 6% while spending here will go up by 3.6%.
Rating
ACCURATE WITH CONSIDERATION
DUP MPs Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Gavin Robinson both recently claimed in press releases issued at the end of April that: “The Treasury contribution to
Articles
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Economy
Does NI have the lowest wages, slowest economy, lowest productivity and highest economic inactivity in the UK and Ireland?
23 May 2023
CLAIM: Northern Ireland has the lowest wages, lowest economic growth, lowest productivity, and highest economic inactivity in the UK and Ireland.
Rating
Mixed
In its manifesto published ahead of the 2023 local government elections, Sinn Fein claimed: “The north has the lowest wages, lowest economic growth, lowest productivity,
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Economy
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Elections
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Peace
Do divisions in society cost Northern Ireland between £400m and £830m every year?
16 May 2023
CLAIM: The cost of social division to the public purse in NI ranges between £400m and £830m every year.
Rating
ACCURATE WITH CONSIDERATION
In its manifesto issued ahead of the 2023 local government elections, the Alliance Party claimed: “The current estimates of the cost of division range between
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Economy
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Health
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Peace
Does Northern Ireland have the highest rate of child poverty in the UK?
2 May 2023
CLAIM: Northern Ireland has the highest levels of child poverty in the UK.
Rating
INACCURATE
On 3 April, in a column for the Irish Times, campaigner Emma de Souza claimed: “Northern Ireland has the highest levels of child poverty in
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Economy
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Education
Is Northern Ireland one of the cheapest parts of the UK for childcare?
25 April 2023
CLAIM: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare.
Rating
INACCURATE WITH CONSIDERATION
On 11 March, Belfast Live posted on its Facebook page that: “Northern Ireland has been named as one of the cheapest regions in the UK
Articles
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Economy
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Elections
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Europe
Did Unionism always oppose the Northern Ireland Protocol?
23 March 2023
CLAIM: Unionism was against the NI Protocol from day one
Rating
ACCURATE WITH CONSIDERATION
On 15 March, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP told the National Press Club in Washington DC: “Unionism rejected the NI Protocol from day one.”
Articles
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Economy
Do the two richest people in Ireland have more wealth than half the population?
1 March 2023
CLAIM: Ireland’s two wealthiest people are worth more financially than the poorest 50% of the population
Rating
ACCURATE WITH CONSIDERATION
On January 16, Oxfam International published a new report – Survival of the Richest – which looks at the changing distribution patterns of wealth around
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Economy
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Health
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Topics
Would it cost the Irish government £880m to provide free GP care?
31 January 2023
CLAIM: Provision of GP appointments that are free at the point of delivery would cost the Dublin Exchequer an extra £880m per year.
Rating
INACCURATE WITH CONSIDERATION
On 17 January, crossbench peer Lord Kilclooney claimed: “To provide free GP care in the Republic of Ireland, which already exists in NI as it