Vote Leave denounced by UK Statistics Authority…again

Despite repeated warnings, Vote Leave continues to use the inaccurate claim that the UK sends £50m a day to the EU

 

The Vote Leave campaign has, yet again, been criticised by the UK Statistics Authority over its claim that the UK sends £350m a week to the European Union.

Sir Andrew Dilnot, chair of the authority, commented:

“As we have made clear, the UK’s contribution to the EU is paid after the application of the rebate. We have also pointed out that there are payments received by the UK public and private sectors that are relevant here. The continued use of a gross figure in contexts that imply it is a net figure is misleading and undermines trust in official statistics.”

The statistic is still being widely used by Vote Leave in its campaign materials and social media communications, as well as being plastered across the side of the Brexit battle bus.

The statistic was introduced into last night’s BBC debate by a pro-Leave audience member, suggesting that despite its inaccuracy, the figure has been lodged in people’s minds by repeated use.

Norman Lamb, the Lib Dem MP who first wrote to the UK Statistics Authority to raise the issue in April, said:

“This is an unprecedented intervention from the UK’s highest statistics authority, who for the third time have felt the need to expose Vote Leave over their shameless attempts to mislead the British people.”

One Response to “Vote Leave denounced by UK Statistics Authority…again”

  1. Jimmy Glesga

    I am sure the actual ammount the UK sends to the gravy train must be recorded in government records. So why is it such an issue? Someone must send the cheque or is it a bank transfer!

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