The FactCheck Blog
Channel 4 FactCheck goes behind the spin to dig out the truth and separate political fact from fiction.
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FactCheck: Hunt for the truth on the A&E ‘crisis’
“We are hitting our national A&E targets.”
Jeremy Hunt, 15 May 2013
The background
The Health Secretary has been obliged to defend the government’s record on accident and emergency services again after another organisation warned of a looming crisis in our hospitals.
On Wednesday it was the turn of the Foundation Trust Network, which represents more than 200 health trusts.
Chief executive Chris Hopson said: “A&E services have been under huge pressure and although performance is now stabilising, there is a danger the system will fall over in six months time unless we plan effectively for next winter.”
The dire prediction comes after warnings from the Royal College of Nursing, the Care Quality Commission and Monitor about pressure on emergency departments. (more…)
FactCheck Q&A: police killers and life time sentences
After the home secretary announces plans to ensure people convicted of killing police officers get life for life, FactCheck digs in to the announcement.
FactCheck: Why did Huhne and Pryce get out early?
It was widely reported today that Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce had been given time off “for good behaviour”. But there is no such thing, as FactCheck finds out…
FactCheck: IDS finally rapped by statistics watchdog
The chairman of the UK Statistics Authority backs our Fiction verdict on Iain Duncan Smith’s benefit cap claims.
FactCheck: Is Nigel Lawson right about quitting the EU?
A big intervention from one of the former heavyweights of the Thatcher era. But is Nigel Lawson right that EU membership is a burden for UK businesses?
Ifs and butts of the fag packet argument – FactCheck
First we hear the government wants to ban branded fag packets, then we hear they don’t. FactCheck does some ashen-faced digging.
FactCheck: can Scotland avoid paying UK debt?
It’s a simple threat from the SNP: if an independent Scotland can’t keep the UK’s currency, it doesn’t have to take on the country’s debts. But is there any legal
FactCheck: should we make the school day longer?
Longer school days and shorter holidays could improve our academic performance, thinks Michael Gove. Top marks for the education secretary?
FactCheck: the benefit cap row
Iain Duncan Smith has been rapped by the statistics watchdog before. Critics now say he is misrepresenting government figures to defend the controversial cap on benefits. FactCheck
FactCheck: organ donor claims under the knife
Reports of a record rise in organ donation were hailed as good news this week. But critics say the NHS is using the wrong statistics to mislead the public. FactCheck investigates.
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