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
A video showing soldiers abseiling from a helicopter has been shared online with claims it shows US forces landing in Venezuela.
This video is actually from a US military exercise in North Carolina in June 2025.
This video is actually from a US military exercise in North Carolina in June 2025.
Old video of US military exercise shared with claims it shows soldiers landing in Venezuela – Full Fact
A video showing soldiers jumping onto a large building from a helicopter has been shared online with false claims it shows the recent US strikes on Venezuela. It was actually filmed in June 2025.
fullfact.org
January 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM
A video showing soldiers abseiling from a helicopter has been shared online with claims it shows US forces landing in Venezuela.
This video is actually from a US military exercise in North Carolina in June 2025.
This video is actually from a US military exercise in North Carolina in June 2025.
News reports this week claimed ads for porridge will be restricted by new legislation.
But only ads for products classified as “less healthy” will be restricted - which might include some sweetened porridge products, but not plain oats.
But only ads for products classified as “less healthy” will be restricted - which might include some sweetened porridge products, but not plain oats.
Ads for plain porridge oats have not been banned – Full Fact
News reports this week claimed that ads for porridge will be restricted by new legislation—but the ban only affects porridge products that score highly in a “less healthy” test.
fullfact.org
January 9, 2026 at 5:31 PM
News reports this week claimed ads for porridge will be restricted by new legislation.
But only ads for products classified as “less healthy” will be restricted - which might include some sweetened porridge products, but not plain oats.
But only ads for products classified as “less healthy” will be restricted - which might include some sweetened porridge products, but not plain oats.
A viral video clip that appears to show US President Donald Trump criticising Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership isn’t real.
The audio has been faked using artificial intelligence.
The audio has been faked using artificial intelligence.
Fake video of Donald Trump criticising Keir Starmer’s leadership is AI-generated – Full Fact
A clip that appears to show the US President criticising Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on social media. But it isn’t real.
fullfact.org
January 9, 2026 at 9:00 AM
A viral video clip that appears to show US President Donald Trump criticising Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership isn’t real.
The audio has been faked using artificial intelligence.
The audio has been faked using artificial intelligence.
We’ve updated our Government Tracker with the latest on plans to build three new National Forests in England, after the government said the second of these will be in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor and that a “competition” will determine the location of the third.
Is the government on course to create three new National Forests in England? – Full Fact
Full Fact takes a look at Labour’s pledge to create three new national forests in England, and to plant millions of trees.
fullfact.org
January 8, 2026 at 7:01 PM
We’ve updated our Government Tracker with the latest on plans to build three new National Forests in England, after the government said the second of these will be in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor and that a “competition” will determine the location of the third.
Posts shared hundreds of times on Facebook falsely claim that Reform UK leader Nigel Farage MP was named on Time Magazine’s list of 100 most influential people of 2025.
Nigel Farage was not included on Time magazine’s list of 100 most influential people – Full Fact
Despite claims on social media, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was not included on Time magazine’s TIME100 list for 2025.
fullfact.org
January 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Posts shared hundreds of times on Facebook falsely claim that Reform UK leader Nigel Farage MP was named on Time Magazine’s list of 100 most influential people of 2025.
A video which appears to show an MP in the House of Commons questioning why Israel’s PM cannot be captured and brought to court like Nicolás Maduro has been shared widely and had millions of views.
But the footage isn’t real—it’s AI.
But the footage isn’t real—it’s AI.
Video appearing to show MP’s question in Commons about capture of Maduro is AI – Full Fact
A widely shared clip seems to show a question about why Israel’s PM cannot be captured and brought to court in a similar manner to the Venezuelan leader. But the footage isn’t real.
fullfact.org
January 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM
A video which appears to show an MP in the House of Commons questioning why Israel’s PM cannot be captured and brought to court like Nicolás Maduro has been shared widely and had millions of views.
But the footage isn’t real—it’s AI.
But the footage isn’t real—it’s AI.
A viral image that appears to show the Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in custody being led away from a plane isn’t real.
It was made using artificial intelligence - here’s how we know: fullfact.org/world/pictur...
It was made using artificial intelligence - here’s how we know: fullfact.org/world/pictur...
January 7, 2026 at 6:00 PM
A viral image that appears to show the Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in custody being led away from a plane isn’t real.
It was made using artificial intelligence - here’s how we know: fullfact.org/world/pictur...
It was made using artificial intelligence - here’s how we know: fullfact.org/world/pictur...
Alex Burghart is the latest member of the Conservatives’ shadow cabinet to claim unemployment is up “every single month” under Labour.
But that’s not quite right - here’s what the figures show:
But that’s not quite right - here’s what the figures show:
Unemployment has increased under Labour, but it hasn’t risen ‘every single month’ – Full Fact
Conservative shadow cabinet minister Alex Burghart claimed on LBC that unemployment has gone up “in every single month” under Labour, but that’s not quite right.
fullfact.org
January 7, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Alex Burghart is the latest member of the Conservatives’ shadow cabinet to claim unemployment is up “every single month” under Labour.
But that’s not quite right - here’s what the figures show:
But that’s not quite right - here’s what the figures show:
At #PMQs Keir Starmer said “more protections” for renters are coming this year.
Our Government Tracker is monitoring progress on Labour’s promise to end no-fault evictions 👇
Our Government Tracker is monitoring progress on Labour’s promise to end no-fault evictions 👇
Is the government on track to end ‘no fault’ evictions? – Full Fact
Full Fact takes a look at Labour’s manifesto pledge to “immediately” abolish Section 21 evictions in England.
fullfact.org
January 7, 2026 at 12:23 PM
At #PMQs Keir Starmer said “more protections” for renters are coming this year.
Our Government Tracker is monitoring progress on Labour’s promise to end no-fault evictions 👇
Our Government Tracker is monitoring progress on Labour’s promise to end no-fault evictions 👇
🗣️"With plummeting public trust – not just in the parties on offer but in politics as a whole – it is time to raise the alarm about how vulnerable our elections are to manipulation and misinformation."
From our CEO, Chris Morris, in @politicshome.bsky.social today.
From our CEO, Chris Morris, in @politicshome.bsky.social today.
It’s time to get serious about election integrity
As old political certainties crumble, elections become harder to call.
www.politicshome.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:54 AM
🗣️"With plummeting public trust – not just in the parties on offer but in politics as a whole – it is time to raise the alarm about how vulnerable our elections are to manipulation and misinformation."
From our CEO, Chris Morris, in @politicshome.bsky.social today.
From our CEO, Chris Morris, in @politicshome.bsky.social today.
A video showing explosions and missile strikes has been shared alongside claims about the recent US military operation in Caracas, Venezuela.
But the footage is over a year old and is unrelated to recent events in Venezuela.
But the footage is over a year old and is unrelated to recent events in Venezuela.
A video shared with claims about US military strikes on Venezuela actually dates from 2024 – Full Fact
An old video showing explosions is being shared alongside claims about the recent US strikes on Venezuela. But the footage is unrelated and was filmed in Israel in October 2024.
fullfact.org
January 5, 2026 at 4:25 PM
A video showing explosions and missile strikes has been shared alongside claims about the recent US military operation in Caracas, Venezuela.
But the footage is over a year old and is unrelated to recent events in Venezuela.
But the footage is over a year old and is unrelated to recent events in Venezuela.
Videos with thousands of shares on social media claim that people’s savings over £5,000 could be redirected into a national debt repayment fund from January 2026.
But the Treasury confirmed this isn’t true.
But the Treasury confirmed this isn’t true.
No, savings above £5,000 aren’t being taken to pay off the national debt – Full Fact
Claims circulating online that savings over £5,000 could be redirected into a national debt repayment fund from January 2026 are not true.
fullfact.org
December 30, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Videos with thousands of shares on social media claim that people’s savings over £5,000 could be redirected into a national debt repayment fund from January 2026.
But the Treasury confirmed this isn’t true.
But the Treasury confirmed this isn’t true.
Full Fact’s Head of AI, @mrdudders.bsky.social, reflects on how AI has shaped misinformation this year—and how our own AI tools are helping fight back.
December 29, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Full Fact’s Head of AI, @mrdudders.bsky.social, reflects on how AI has shaped misinformation this year—and how our own AI tools are helping fight back.
Videos claiming that a new law will require digital ID for purchases above £20, and could see fines for repeated cash payments, are false.
There is no evidence of any such policies being introduced.
There is no evidence of any such policies being introduced.
No, you won’t need digital ID for cash payments over £20 in the new year – Full Fact
Videos circulating online claim that from 2026 purchases above £20 will need digital ID verification, and repeated cash payments could result in fines. But neither of these claims are true.
fullfact.org
December 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Videos claiming that a new law will require digital ID for purchases above £20, and could see fines for repeated cash payments, are false.
There is no evidence of any such policies being introduced.
There is no evidence of any such policies being introduced.
Videos on Facebook claim a new law bans music being played in moving cars.
As you may have guessed, this isn’t true. It appears to be yet another example of the fake stories about personal freedoms we’ve seen all over social media lately.
As you may have guessed, this isn’t true. It appears to be yet another example of the fake stories about personal freedoms we’ve seen all over social media lately.
No, a new law isn’t being introduced to stop people playing music while driving – Full Fact
Videos shared on Facebook make false claims about a supposed new law banning music in moving cars and a new monthly electricity charge.
fullfact.org
December 27, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Videos on Facebook claim a new law bans music being played in moving cars.
As you may have guessed, this isn’t true. It appears to be yet another example of the fake stories about personal freedoms we’ve seen all over social media lately.
As you may have guessed, this isn’t true. It appears to be yet another example of the fake stories about personal freedoms we’ve seen all over social media lately.
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 27, 2025 at 9:00 AM
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.
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 👇