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Economy

Can Northern Ireland landlords get larger rates reductions than renters and owner-occupiers?
11 January 2024

CLAIM: Renters and owner-occupiers may have to pay their rates in full, while landlords can get a 10% allowance off their own rates bills. Since 1996, the private rental sector has grown significantly – from negligible size to around 13% of homes today, a similar proportion to the Housing Executive and all housing associations combined.

Rating

ACCURATE WITH CONSIDERATION

On 25 October in an article for the Belfast Telegraph, journalist and policy expert Paul Gosling claimed that: “As landlords, we are given a discount

Articles

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Economy

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Peace

Did the Executive promise equal cash to rebuild Windsor Park, Casement Park and Ravenhill?
11 December 2023

CLAIM: The NI Executive’s commitment to provide financial support for new football, GAA and rugby stadiums involved an equal split between sports.

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INACCURATE WITH CONSIDERATION

On 10 November in a post on social media, Loyalist campaigner Jamie Bryson claimed: “[The construction of the three stadiums – at Ravenhill, Windsor and

Articles

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Economy

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Topics

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%.

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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,

Articles

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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

Articles

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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

Articles

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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.”