From the fact checkers

This is the first of an occasional series of posts in which I will draw attention to selected findings of independent fact-checkers like Full Fact.

Only findings of independent groups which I consider to be non-partisan will appear under the heading "From-the fact checkers." I make no secret that I often publish material from CCHQ and Conservative government sources on this blog, and I will continue to do so, but I will reserve the "From the Fact checkers" title for material from independent sources and I will always include a link so that the reader can check exactly where it comes from.


FINDING = The government has not proposed banning Unions

SOURCE - Full Fact (see link: The government hasn’t proposed banning unions - Full Fact)

Posts shared hundreds of times on Twitter or Facebook in 2022 falsely claim that the government has opened a consultation on proposals for a new “996 working hour system” and a ban on trade unions.

This story has no basis whatsoever in fact.

One version of the twitter post, which has also been shared on Facebook, impersonates the Cabinet Office website and claims that “on 13 September the government published a Green Paper on reforming the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.” 

This is not a real screenshot, and the image appears to have been digitally manipulated. There is no trace of such a document on the real Cabinet Office website. 

The Cabinet Office did not publish any such Green Paper on 13 September. 

A similar post, which appears to be a screenshot of an article published by the Guardian, also claims that Prime Minister Liz Truss “wants a 996 working hour system for Britain”. 

A Google search for this headline reveals zero results, and there is no evidence that the Guardian ever published this article.


Comments

Gary Bullivant said…
I checked Full Fact but didn't get beyond glancing at Companies House.

It's interesting that you should kick off with something from Full Fact. Richard Inglewood, one of the directors, may sit as a cross bench peer now but he is as born and bred a Conservative as it is possible to find in Cumbria.

BTW, the West Cumbria Mining conditional coal licenses (CA/BEIS) lapsed yesterday courtesy of there being no planning approval (PI/LUHC) or marine licences (MMO DEFRA) granted.
10:04 am
Chris Whiteside said…
Anyone who has read much on Full Fact will have noted that they have called out people from every part of the political spectrum when they think they are wrong.

The fact that a crossbench peer who used to be a Conservative is one of their directors does not constitute a credible challenge to their impartiality.
7:58 pm
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