Economy

Business leaders and even former Labour ministers have said they don’t like Ed Balls’ plan to bring back the 50p top rate of tax. But could the move help pay down the deficit?

The Conservative government responds to Labour claims that wages have fallen in real terms under David Cameron – FactCheck explores which party is right.

Ed Miliband says people are £1,600 a year worse off under David Cameron. The prime minister says Labour are only telling half the story. Time for a FactCheck.

A damning report from MPs accused HMRC of “losing its nerve” on tackling tax avoidance. The taxman has hit back, accusing MPs of using the figures misleadingly. Who is right?

Ed Davey says that without Hinkley C, we’re all in the dark. FactCheck’s decided to dig in and try and shine a spotlight on the energy secretary’s claims.

The Crown Prosecution Service will push for longer sentences for benefit fraudsters. A long-overdue clampdown or a waste of resources? FactCheck finds out.

Yes, Britain is smaller than Russia. By land mass at least. We look at some other indicators of Britain’s influence.

Pelted with eggs but unbowed, Ed Miliband has been ramming home Labour’s attack on the “cost of living crisis”. But how much are people really being squeezed?

Are plans for the help to buy scheme likely to live up to government expectations? Based on previous housing policies, FactCheck isn’t so sure.

Rachel Reeves and George Osborne crossed swords in the House of Commons over spending on infrastructure. Who’s right? FactCheck digs in.

New businesses boomed faster than ever before last year, says David Cameron. Great news if true – so where’s the evidence?

Dr Liam Fox claims the global economy has doubled in the last 12 years. So why aren’t we holidaying on the moon, FactCheck asks?

Spain may be the latest European country heading for a massive bailout. That might mean Britain has to pay. FactCheck wonders how much.

Venture capitalist Adrian Beecroft advises the government to cut red tape and make it easier to fire workers to save the economy. FactCheck doesn’t think it’ll do much good.

There have been tears, laughter, and the odd stray F-word. The London mayoral race has been high on emotion and more than usually bad-tempered. Boris Johnson has been slightly more careful with his facts, choosing to deal in aspirations rather than promises. Ken Livingstone has made some extravagant claims which have landed him in hot water. Here’s the verdict from FactCheck HQ on a very irritable election.