CLAIM: Northern Ireland is the happiest region in the UK.
CONCLUSION: UNSUBSTANTIATED. The majority of people surveyed by ONS indicated being majority happy with their lives. However, statistically, Northern Ireland has some of the highest rates of mental health illness in the UK and some research has found quality of life to be low here. Most citizens are happy but there exists serious issues which detract from well-being. Continue reading Is Northern Ireland the happiest part of the UK?
CLAIM: 77% of working mothers endure some kind of discrimination.
CONCLUSION: INACCURATE. It is correct for mothers in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) but the statistic stated on BBC Radio Ulster does not apply to women in Northern Ireland. However, women here do report having felt discriminated in the workplace due to being pregnant or a mother: 36% of mothers report feeling they were treated unfairly, and 50% of mothers believing their career opportunities are worse than before pregnancy. Continue reading Do 77% of mothers face discrimination at work?
CLAIM: 41% of those living with HIV in Northern Ireland are heterosexual.
CONCLUSION: ACCURATE. Furthermore, Northern Ireland has observed the fastest growth in diagnoses over the past 10 years, when compared to the average both in Ireland and in the United Kingdom. Continue reading How common is HIV among heterosexuals?
CLAIM: The United Kingdom has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Europe.
CONCLUSION: ACCURATE WITH CONSIDERATION. The claim is true, however, the teenage pregnancy rate in Northern Ireland was the lowest within the British Isles in 2014. Continue reading Does Northern Ireland have a high teenage pregnancy rate?
CLAIM: One in four women in Northern Ireland have at some point in their lives have been a victim of domestic violence.
CONCLUSION: ACCURATE. Approximately one in four women in Northern Ireland are estimated to have been victims of domestic violence. Continue reading Are 1 in 4 women in Northern Ireland victims of domestic violence?
CLAIM: “The health service in Northern Ireland will especially benefit from the requirement for foreigners – including those from the Republic of Ireland – to pay for hospital treatment.” – Sammy Wilson, Belfast Telegraph, 19 May 2016
CONCLUSION: INACCURATE WITH CONSIDERATION. Under a variety of different circumstances, foreigners do pay for access to health care already. The proposed legislation would seek ways to extend the scope for foreigners to contribute financially for NHS services, and to increase the incentives for debt recovery. The NHS would save significantly by simply collecting on what it is owed under current exchange schemes with foreign governments. Continue reading Are foreigners a financial strain on the NHS in Northern Ireland?
