Hundreds of you sent in your questions. We answered them.
11 December 2019 | Full Fact election update
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Dear Supporter,
It’s been a challenging six weeks. Amid dishonest claims and misleading tactics from different parties, many of us are left with more questions than answers.
Last week our fact checking team invited you to ask us about anything that had you scratching your heads during the campaign.
Hundreds of you sent in your questions, which covered the economy, Brexit, health, and polling day itself.
We’ve not been able to answer them all. But what we have done is cover the topics most of you wrote in to ask about. You can read a selection of our answers below.
As we prepare to head to the polls tomorrow, we’ve also included round-ups of our fact checks on every party this election—as well as a ‘fact check minis’ video which clears up six of the biggest claims from the two major parties.
We’ve all been at risk from bad information this election. But there’s still time to make a difference.
You can help protect a friend's vote from false information:
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If every Full Fact reader shares our work with just one friend or family member, that means tens of thousands more voters having access to the clear and impartial information they need—so that whichever choice they make tomorrow, it will be a well-informed one.
There’s just a few hours left. Let’s make them count.
Will
** You asked: Is the NHS already privatised? Is it going to be? ([link removed])
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The NHS has always used private providers, but their role was formalised and expanded through the 2000s. Experts estimate between 7% and 22% of the healthcare budget goes to private providers. The higher estimates include things like GPs and pharmacies, which are technically private providers but might not be thought of that way.
It’s been claimed that more NHS services could be outsourced to private companies, particularly after a possible UK-US trade deal. But trade deals don't usually seek to redesign public services and US companies already have the right to bid for private NHS contracts in England.
There's also a suggestion that a US trade deal might hinder the ability of any future government to reduce the levels of private provision within the NHS. What's more likely is that the NHS pays more to buy drugs from US companies. However, increased drug prices aren't a sure thing.
NHS privatised? ([link removed])
** You asked: Is the Political Declaration legally binding if the Withdrawal Treaty is passed? ([link removed])
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Article 184 of the Withdrawal Agreement does not make the Political Declaration legally binding; it says the UK and the EU “shall use their best endeavours, in good faith and in full respect of their respective legal orders” to negotiate “expeditiously” the agreements referred to in the Political Declaration. This does not translate to a legal and enforceable commitment, according to the House of Commons Library and the Institute for Government.
As we’ve said before, the Political Declaration—which aims for a Free Trade Agreement with the EU—will act as a blueprint for future negotiations.
Legally binding? ([link removed])
** You asked: Which are the most populated and least populated seats being contested in the general election? ([link removed])
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The Isle of Wight has the biggest electorate at about 108,000 (in 2018), while Na h-Eileanan an Iar in Scotland has the smallest number at just over 21,000 (in 2017). The average UK constituency has about 71,000 voters in it.
Most populated seats? ([link removed])
Can’t see your question? More Ask Full Fact answers are up on our site.
You asked, we answered ([link removed])
** Six claims which may have misled you this election ([link removed])
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We know that this election there have been a lot of claims made by the two biggest parties. It can be hard to make sense of it all.
Before you vote, we’re here to clear things up, and fast.
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** Party Roundups ([link removed]) : biggest claims from this election ([link removed])
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Looking for a refresher before you vote? We've summarised our fact checks on all parties throughout the election.
Conservative Party: fact checked ([link removed])
Labour Party: fact checked ([link removed])
SNP and Liberal Democrats: fact checked ([link removed])
Plaid Cymru, Green Party, Brexit Party: fact checked ([link removed])
As the UK’s independent fact checking charity, our reputation as an accurate, impartial source of information has always and always will be our highest priority. Find out how we've protected our impartiality ([link removed]) this election.
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All the best from the team at Full Fact
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