How we check our work
UK Explained does not make forecasts, so there is no prediction to score. What we can show is how carefully the numbers and words are checked, and what is not yet reviewed.
Checked by Jonathan on 2026-10-04. A description is hidden if its source changes.
None so far. When we find a mistake, it is fixed, listed with the date, and the old figure is kept in the log.
If a check fails, the site keeps the last good data instead of showing wrong numbers.
Who checks what
- Numbers come straight from official sources and are not changed by hand. Each figure shows its source and date.
- Plain-English bill descriptions are drafted with an AI tool from the Library briefing, then read against it and approved by a named person. If the briefing changes, the approval lapses.
- Bill names: Not yet reviewed: the everyday names given to 38 bills were written from the official titles and have not yet been approved by a named person. The official title is always shown beside them.
- Wording is kept neutral: we describe what the record shows and never guess at motives.
What the nightly checks look at
- Every vote has a stored result, and the named votes roughly match the published totals.
- Spending by function adds up to total spending; borrowing, receipts and population are in a sensible range.
- Every constituency is matched to its pay, jobs and election figures.
- NHS area figures add up to roughly the England total.
- Long series (pay, claimants, inflation, debt) have enough points and sensible latest values.
- Census figures cover every England and Wales constituency.
See when each dataset was last fetched on the data status page. The checks are in scripts/check.py.
What we cannot tell you
Each chart and number has a note on what it cannot tell you. Subjects for votes are matched automatically and are approximate. Money figures are in cash terms and the latest year can be revised. See the full method.
Independence
UK Explained is not funded, directed or edited by any political party, campaign group, polling company or news organisation. Every figure comes from an official source named beside it, and mistakes are corrected in public.
Found a mistake?
Tell us on the About & corrections page. We publish corrections with the date.