United KingdomOwnership & classification
Founded: 2009
Ownership
Full Fact is an independent British fact-checking organisation founded in 2009 by businessman Michael Samuel (its chair) and Will Moy (its long-time director). It is a registered charity (Charity Commission no. 1158683), governed by a cross-party board of trustees rather than any commercial owner. It is not owned by a media group, party or state body.
Funding
Financed by charitable donations and grants from foundations and tech companies, with listed major funders including the Nuffield Foundation, Luminate, Google and Meta/Facebook, plus individual donors and revenue from running fact-checking and statistics training. All donations above £5,000 are disclosed on its website.
Affiliation & stance
Full Fact is a non-partisan charity with a deliberately neutral remit (advancement of public education / accurate public debate) and no party or government allegiance. Because it is independently governed, privately/charitably financed and free of party or state control, it is INDEPENDENT (the site's INDEPENDENT/CENTER labels are accurate).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 33
84/100
Factual
85/100
Objective
43
Articles
43
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Over 200 Brits have applied for asylum in Australia - but authorities tell them to stop
Over 230 British citizens have applied for asylum in Australia since 2025, using a strategy to extend their legal stay. Australian authorities, including the Department of Home Affairs, have criticized these applications as 'seriously bad advice' and warned that they will be rejected. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is planning a crackdown on non-meritorious asylum claims, aiming to deter overstaying visa holders by increasing enforcement. However, the proposal faces resistance from the Refugee Council of Australia, which warns that reducing work rights for asylum seekers could harm Australia's humanitarian efforts. While most UK applicants have failed to secure asylum, the trend highlights concerns about the integrity of Australia's immigration system.
No, Argos isn’t selling a garden storage bench for as little as £3
Several social media posts have falsely claimed that Argos is offering Keter Eden storage benches for as low as £3 or £10 to customers who complete a survey or form. These claims include images of what appears to be an Argos order for the bench at £2.99. However, an Argos spokesperson confirmed that these are not genuine offers. The Keter Eden Bench 265L is currently priced at over £110 on Argos's official website. Full Fact has rated this claim as 'false' after verifying that the alleged discount does not exist.
Britons greatly overestimate number of sex crimes committed by foreign nationals, study finds
A study conducted by researchers at King’s College London suggests that the British public significantly overestimates the involvement of foreign nationals in sexual offenses and other types of crime. According to the findings, the public believes foreign nationals account for 30% of sexual offenses, whereas official data indicates they are responsible for only 15%. Similarly, the public estimates that foreign nationals make up 25% of the prison population, but the actual figure is 15%. The study also revealed that the public perceives rates of mobile phone theft, domestic burglary, vehicle theft, and murder to be increasing, while these rates have actually declined. Researchers found that individuals who support Reform UK tend to have the most inaccurate views regarding crime statistics, particularly concerning the ethnicity of offenders and the proportion of foreign nationals among prisoners and offenders. Professor Bobby Duffy, director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London, stated that the public's misconceptions about crime lead to greater skepticism toward the government's ability to manage crime and support for stricter criminal policies.
Video of children being taught Muslim prayers does not show a school in England
An article by Full Fact clarifies that a video circulating online, which falsely claims to show children at an English school learning about Muslim prayers, was actually filmed at an Islamic pre-school in Sydney, Australia. The video, originally posted on Instagram in April by the Clever Little Muslims educational center, depicts a woman leading children in a song about Salah, the Islamic practice of praying five times daily. The video has been shared on Facebook with misleading captions suggesting it was filmed in an English school. Full Fact notes that while Islamic nurseries exist in the UK, the video does not depict an English school. They emphasize that religious education (RE) in England is compulsory for state-funded schools, though parents may opt their children out. The article highlights the importance of verifying the origin and context of viral content, particularly on social media platforms like Facebook.
Is the government on course to end rough sleeping?
The UK government pledged to end rough sleeping, defining it as sleeping outdoors in non-habitable spaces. Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the commitment shortly after taking office, stating the goal was to address both short and long-term rough sleeping in England. The pledge focuses solely on England, acknowledging that homelessness policies are devolved. Rough sleeping is measured through two methods: a snapshot survey estimating numbers on a single night and a data framework using monthly reports from local authorities. Recent data suggests around 4,793 people slept rough in autumn 2025 and 7,541 in March 2026. Critics note these figures likely underrepresent the true scale of the issue, especially among marginalized groups like women. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has not yet clarified which measurement method will be used to assess progress toward ending rough sleeping.
The Cancer Act 1939 doesn’t make it ‘illegal to cure cancer’
A claim circulating on Facebook asserts that the 1939 Cancer Act makes it illegal for medical professionals to advise patients on potential cancer cures. However, this is false. The Cancer Act 1939 prohibits advertisements promoting cancer treatments to the general public, including both proven and alternative therapies. It does not restrict medical practitioners from treating patients or providing them with advice. The law aims to protect cancer patients and the public by preventing the promotion of unproven remedies, especially during a time when modern treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy were emerging. Advertisements targeting healthcare professionals, MPs, or local authorities are permitted under certain conditions.
Telegraph updates Covid vaccines article following study retraction
The Telegraph updated its 2024 article about a study suggesting that COVID vaccines may have contributed to increased excess deaths, following the retraction of the original study. The study was initially published in the BMJ Public Health journal in May 2024 and was cited by the Telegraph under a provocative headline. However, an investigation by the same journal found the study's discussion of mortality causes lacked rigor and included misinformation, leading to its retraction on August 11, 2026. The Telegraph added an Editor’s Note stating that while the article remains online for archival purposes, the underlying research is no longer considered valid.
Smear test brushes are safe
Full Fact investigated claims that the brush used in cervical smear tests is sterilized with 'cancer-causing' ethylene oxide. The article explains that while ethylene oxide can be harmful with excessive exposure, medical devices sterilized with it are considered safe. It notes that the MHRA has stated there is no credible evidence linking cervical smear test swabs to cancer. The article highlights that the sterilization process removes all traces of ethylene oxide before packaging, and experts confirm that properly sterilized medical devices do not pose a risk. Claims spreading this misinformation have circulated widely on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Edited image of Andy Burnham in ‘Free Palestine’ shirt being shared on Facebook
On 14 August 2026, Full Fact reported that an image circulating on Facebook showing Andy Burnham, the UK Prime Minister, wearing a 'Free Palestine' T-shirt and a keffiyeh was an edited version of a real photograph. The original image, taken on 31 March 2026 outside Number 10 Downing Street, showed Burnham in a white T-shirt and blue jacket. Full Fact confirmed there were no authentic images of Burnham wearing the described outfit. The article noted that Burnham had previously co-authored a letter in June 2025 advocating for UK recognition of a Palestinian state, which the government officially recognized in September 2025. The post was flagged as 'altered' under Facebook's fact-checking initiative.
How does Labour’s record on prison places compare to the Conservatives’?
The article examines a Facebook post by the Labour Party comparing the number of prison places added under the Conservative government with those added under Labour. It highlights that the comparison is misleading because the figures are not like-for-like. The Conservatives' 14-year record (2010–2024) saw a net increase of 482 operational prison places, while the current government claims to have added over 3,200 new places since July 2024. However, the latter figure is gross and includes new openings without accounting for closures, making it incomparable. The article notes that Labour's net increase in operational capacity is much lower, with only a 316-place increase as of late 2026. The Ministry of Justice acknowledges variability in capacity figures and emphasizes their ongoing expansion efforts.
What are the proposed driving licence changes and when would they happen?
The article clarifies misconceptions about proposed driving license changes in the UK. Social media claims suggested Prime Minister Andy Burnham wanted drivers over 70 to retake driving tests, but this is inaccurate. Instead, the proposal involves mandatory vision checks every three years for drivers over 70, a policy originally discussed during Sir Keir Starmer's premiership. The new rules would replace self-declaration of eyesight with mandatory testing. Additionally, the article notes that drivers born after 2002 may face stricter requirements, including a potential six-month waiting period between passing their theory test and practical driving test. This measure aims to address higher crash rates among younger drivers, based on government data showing they account for 24% of fatal and serious crashes despite representing only 6% of license holders.
Picture showing total eclipse over Stonehenge is an AI fake
On 13 August 2026, Full Fact debunked a circulated image claiming to show a total solar eclipse over Stonehenge. The article states the image is fake, containing Google's SynthID watermark indicating it was generated by AI. The actual solar eclipse visible from the UK on 12 August was partial, with up to 95% of the sun covered in some areas. A total eclipse was only visible in other parts of Europe. The article warns against sharing unverified content on social media and provides resources for identifying AI-generated media.
Graphene oxide not an ingredient in magnetic antibiotic capsule
A video circulating on social media falsely claims that a magnetic antibiotic capsule contains graphene oxide, suggesting it is a metal conductor. The video shows a flucloxacillin tablet being attracted to a magnet, leading to concerns about 'big pharma' and potential health risks. Upon investigation, Full Fact contacted the manufacturer, Medreich, who clarified that graphene oxide is not an ingredient in the medication. Instead, the magnetic effect is due to iron oxide used as a colorant in the capsule's outer layer. Medreich confirmed that the capsule is made of gelatine with iron oxides and titanium dioxide, and that the amount of iron oxide present is well below toxic levels. The article emphasizes the importance of accurate information to prevent harmful decisions based on misinformation.