copenlu/druid huggingface dataset:
Claim: Lagan Valley is one of the least wooded areas in Northern Ireland, particularly with regards to ancient woodland. (Sorcha Eastwood, 2023-06-18)
Evidence (2006-01-01): Ptinus subpilosus is a species which sticks strictly to natural habitats and has been found mainly under bark of trees in ancient pasture woodland. In Ireland we have a very limited pasture woodland fauna, due to past destruction of forests. Pasture woodland is one of the most threatened habitat types in Europe. The occurrence of a generally rare pasture woodland insect in Northern Ireland is therefore of some importance. [...] With some luck and persistence it should be possible to see this species under the bark of old sycamore in the Lagan Valley, south and west of Belfast. It appears to favour west-facing aspects. At Belvoir, it was found in November but in Britain it seems to occur mainly in spring. [...] Report to EHS or to roy.anderson [at] ntlworld.com any damage to ancient trees in this part of the Lagan Valley Regional Park, whether proposed by planning consents, or likely to occur through changes to forestry or land management practice.
Claim: Lagan Valley is one of the least wooded areas in Northern Ireland, particularly with regards to ancient woodland. (Sorcha Eastwood, 2023-06-18)
Evidence (2024-10-08): Trade with England and Scotland flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries. The development of the Newry Canal, turnpike roads and numerous harbours facilitated the export of goods such as salt beef, butter, pork and cheese. Raw materials were also mined and exported, with remnants of chalk and limestone mines shaping the landscape today, such as Gortin Quarry by Carnlough, and Larrybane – both on the Antrim Coast. Linen mills sprung up during this time, benefiting from waterways in and around the Lagan Valley. Indeed, during the 18th century, Belfast’s two mills produced half of all linen on the island of Ireland. [...] Over the past 10,000 years, as conditions warmed and ice melted, plants and forests began to thrive across the island of Ireland. Historically, the island was densely populated with forest; Brehon laws enforcing the protection of trees served to preserve ancient oaks, Scots pine, yews and other trees. Due to extensive deforestation in the 18th and 19th centuries, only about eight percent of Northern Ireland is now covered in forest. Some of the most enchanting of these forests include Tollymore in the Mournes and Lough Navar in County Fermanagh. For city-dwellers, Belvoir Park Forest near Belfast offers a taste of the ancient woodland that once carpeted the island.
Claim: Lagan Valley is one of the least wooded areas in Northern Ireland, particularly with regards to ancient woodland. (Sorcha Eastwood, 2023-06-18)
Evidence (2024-10-05): Beyond the Queen's University area the area's principal landmarks are the 15-storey tower block of Belfast City Hospital (1986) on the Lisburn Road, and the Lagan Valley Regional Park through which a towpath extends from the City-centre quayside to Lisburn.[117] [...] The largest green conservation area within the city's boundaries is a 2,116 hectares patchwork of "parks, demesnes, woodland and meadows" stretching upriver along the banks of the Lagan river and canal;[117] Established in 1967, the Lagan Valley Regional Park envelopes in its course, Belvoir Park Forest, which contains ancient oaks and a 12th-century Norman Motte,[343] and Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, whose International Rose Garden attracts thousands of visitors each July.[344] [...] - ^ a b "Lagan Valley Regional Park |". laganvalley.co.uk. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
Claim: Only 3 out of 12 regions are net contributors to the UK Treasury. (The Alliance Party, 2019-11-25)
Evidence (2019-11-25): This claim is accurate. Data from the ONS showed that only three regions of the UK – London, the southeast and the east of England – ran a fiscal surplus in the 2017-18 financial year, the latest year for which figures are available.
Claim: Only 3 out of 12 regions are net contributors to the UK Treasury. (The Alliance Party, 2019-11-25)
Evidence (2023-06-27): In the 2021 budget, there were nine EU members contributing more than they got out of the EU (down from ten when the UK was still a member), at least in terms of direct monetary contributions. Germany tops the ranking, putting in 25.6 billion euros more than it gets out, followed by France with net contributions of 12.4 billion euros. The UK previously came in second place in the ranking, with roughly 10 billion euros of net contributions in 2018.
Claim: Only 3 out of 12 regions are net contributors to the UK Treasury. (The Alliance Party, 2019-11-25)
Evidence (2024-08-27): Section contents - UK net contribution was about 0.4% of GDP a year: less than 1.2% of public expenditure in 2019 - For 2019, UK contribution was: [...] The UK net contribution in 2019 was £9.4 billion, taking account of £5.0 billion in EU payments to the UK public sector (the majority represents receipts under the Common Agricultural Policy). [...] - 3.2 to 3.4 times the UK’s net contribution of £9.4 billion - £580 million – £620 million/week - £1.24 – £1.32 per person per day (population of 66.9 million)
Claim: Only 3 out of 12 regions are net contributors to the UK Treasury. (The Alliance Party, 2019-11-25)
Evidence (2019-05-27): London, the South East and the East of England all had net fiscal surpluses in the financial year ending (FYE) 2018, with all other countries and regions of the UK having net fiscal deficits. [...] Most of the 12 Nomenclature of Units for Territorial Statistics: NUTS1 regions saw an improvement in their net fiscal balances between financial year ending (FYE) 2017 and FYE 2018, meaning a decreased deficit or an increased surplus. However, this change was smaller than that which occurred between FYE 2016 and FYE 2017. The largest change occurred in the South East, which saw an increase in its net fiscal surplus of £1.3 billion. [...] Download this table Table 2: Net fiscal balance per head from financial year ending (FYE) 2016 to FYE 2018, by NUTS1 countries and regions .xls .csvNorthern Ireland had the highest net fiscal deficit, while London had the highest net fiscal surplus per head, in FYE 2018. The UK as a whole has had a net fiscal deficit since FYE 2002. However, this varies between countries and regions. Most countries and regions have had a net fiscal deficit for the full duration of the period presented in these statistics, which is since FYE 2000. Some regions, such as the East of England, the East Midlands and the South West had net fiscal surpluses in the early period, while London and the South East have generally maintained net fiscal surpluses for the full period.
Claim: Only 3 out of 12 regions are net contributors to the UK Treasury. (The Alliance Party, 2019-11-25)
Evidence (2018-01-16): Given these figures, ONS reports that the UK government’s net contribution to the EU – that is the difference between the money it paid to the EU and the money it received – was £9.4 billion in 2016 as compared with the £18.9 billion gross contribution. [...] Using EC data that includes credits from the EU to UK public and private sectors, the UK’s average annual net contribution on this wider basis for the years 2012 to 2016 was £8.1 billion [...] HM Treasury also publishes figures on the payments between the EU and the UK government and estimated the net contribution in 2016 to be £8.6 billion. Its figures differ to those reported by ONS in Pink Book 2016 as they are estimates, versus the final figures used in the ONS publication.Treasury figures are also presented on a cash basis, whereas ONS data are presented on an accruals basis.
Claim: Only 3 out of 12 regions are net contributors to the UK Treasury. (The Alliance Party, 2019-11-25)
Evidence (2024-08-08): House of Commons. "Net Contributions to The Budget of The European Union from The United Kingdom from 1973 to 2019 (in Million Gbp)." Statista, Statista Inc., 4 Jan 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/316736/uk-net-contributions-to-eu-budget/ House of Commons, Net contributions to the budget of the European Union from the United Kingdom from 1973 to 2019 (in million GBP) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/316736/uk-net-contributions-to-eu-budget/ (last visited October 09, 2024) Net contributions to the budget of the European Union from the United Kingdom from 1973 to 2019 (in million GBP) [Graph], House of Commons, January 4, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/316736/uk-net-contributions-to-eu-budget/
Claim: Only 3 out of 12 regions are net contributors to the UK Treasury. (The Alliance Party, 2019-11-25)
Evidence (2017-06-12): The wealth of regions – measuring the UK’s tax and spending imbalance Experimental statistics from ONS have suggested that in 2016 only three UK regions generated more in taxes than they receive in public spending. The data have caused a stir in the media with headlines proclaiming that London and its surrounding regions are effectively ‘subsidising’ the rest. Jonathan Athow explains how the figures were calculated and how ONS is looking to develop and improve them. On 23 May, ONS published some new statistics breaking down the public finances statistics for the different countries and regions of the UK. This allocated public sector revenue and expenditure to each country and region, allowing us to see how spending levels and tax receipts vary across the UK. This analysis included an estimate of the ‘net fiscal balance’ for each country and region. That provided an estimate for which parts of the UK contribute more to public sector revenues (mostly taxes) than they receive in public spending or vice versa. The issues of taxation and expenditure are important in the context of ongoing discussions about devolution and relative economic performance.
Claim: Only 3 out of 12 regions are net contributors to the UK Treasury. (The Alliance Party, 2019-11-25)
Evidence (2021-11-24): In order to provide information on the allocation of expenditure split by Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the English regions, the Treasury asks UK government departments and devolved administrations to undertake an annual statistical exercise. This is based on expenditure data published in July each year in HM Treasury’s Public Spending Statistics release. [...] - The Treasury then collates departments’ returns and combines these with the known spending of local government to produce the analyses of public expenditure by Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the English regions that are published in this release. [...] - the Treasury asks the largest departments to allocate their spending to Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the English regions, whereas spending for the remaining departments (de minimis) are pro-rated using the total expenditure of the larger departments.
Claim: Only 3 out of 12 regions are net contributors to the UK Treasury. (The Alliance Party, 2019-11-25)
Evidence (2023-05-25): All countries and regions saw an increase in the amount of revenue raised in FYE 2022; Income Tax was the largest contribution to the increase in London, the South East and East of England, while Value Added Tax (VAT) was the largest contribution in all other country and regions. All countries and regions, apart from London and the South East, had a net fiscal deficit in FYE 2022; while in FYE 2021 all countries and regions had a net fiscal deficit. [...] Most expenditure data, around 90%, are sourced from HM Treasury's Country and Regional Analysis publication, and the accompanying guidance note, published on GOV.UK includes information on how regional apportionment is carried out.
Claim: Only 3 out of 12 regions are net contributors to the UK Treasury. (The Alliance Party, 2019-11-25)
Evidence (2023-05-17): Of the nine English regions, London, the North East and the South West showed positive quarter-on-quarter growth in Quarter 3 2022; all other regions in England showed negative growth.
Claim: Only 3 out of 12 regions are net contributors to the UK Treasury. (The Alliance Party, 2019-11-25)
Evidence (2016-03-11): We’ve been getting a lot of questions asking how much the UK and Wales contributes to the EU budget and how much it gets back by way of different funding. Is it possible to work out accurately the net cost of EU membership to the UK and Wales? There are different methodologies used at EU level and by the UK Treasury to calculate how much the UK Government pays into and how much it receives from the EU. Whichever methodology is used the UK is a net contributor to the EU Budget (i.e. pays in more to the EU than it receives back). However, the European Commission figures (presented in euros) show a lower net contribution by the UK than the Treasury figures (which are presented in pounds sterling) as we’ll see below. [...] A UK Treasury Report published in December 2015 puts the total UK net contribution to the EU Budget at £9.785 billion (POUNDS) in 2014, including the adjustment for the UK rebate. The Treasury’s Report explains the differences as follows (Paragraph 3.9):
Claim: Only 3 out of 12 regions are net contributors to the UK Treasury. (The Alliance Party, 2019-11-25)
Evidence (2017-10-31): Given these figures, the ONS reports that the UK government's net contribution to the EU – that is, the difference between the money it paid to the EU and the money it received – was £11.0 billion in 2018 compared with the £20.0 billion theoretical liability. [...] The UK’s annual five-year average (2014 to 2018) net contribution on this wider basis was £7.8 billion; lower than the £9.8 billion ONS estimate of the annual five-year average which only captures official transactions between the EU and the UK government. [...] HM Treasury also publishes figures on the payments between the EU and the UK government and estimated the net contribution in 2018 to be £8.9 billion. Its figures differ to those reported by the ONS as they are estimates, compared with the final figures used in the ONS publication. Treasury figures are also presented on a cash basis, whereas ONS data are presented on an accruals basis.
Claim: Only 3 out of 12 regions are net contributors to the UK Treasury. (The Alliance Party, 2019-11-25)
Evidence (2022-02-26): "Northern Ireland has lost out as the result of a deeply unbalanced economy within the UK. There is a heavy focus around the south-east of England and those sectors which predominate there. For example, only 3/12 UK regions are net contributors to UK Treasury." [...] In other words, if a region is receiving more from UK Treasury, in terms of revenue to a region’s residents and businesses, than revenue that the region gives to UK Treasury (e.g. via taxes), then that region is said to have a "positive net fiscal balance". Conversely, a "negative net fiscal balance" means that a region gives more revenue to UK Treasury than the revenue that the region receives from UK Treasury. The Alliance Party stated in their Westminster Manifesto 2019 that "only 3/12 UK regions are net contributors to UK Treasury". Data from the ONS corroborates this; only London, the southeast, and the east of England are net contributors to the UK Treasury. The claim by the Alliance Party is accurate.
Claim: Only 3 out of 12 regions are net contributors to the UK Treasury. (The Alliance Party, 2019-11-25)
Evidence (2024-07-09): Figure 9: Breakdown of country-specific bilateral ODA by income group split by contributor, 2022 5.1.4 Bilateral ODA spend by region and government department and other contributors of UK ODA [...] The UK uses data on ODA spend by sector and country/region which is reported by each multilateral organisation to the OECD DAC to estimate what percentage of UK core contributions are spent in each country and sector. Where a multilateral organisation does not report to the DAC but the multilateral is only mandated to work in a particular country, region or sector, we allocate all of its core contributions to the relevant country, region or sector. If a multilateral organisation does not report to the DAC but works in multiple sectors and/or countries, then its core contributions are not allocated to a country or sector.
Claim: Only 3 out of 12 regions are net contributors to the UK Treasury. (The Alliance Party, 2019-11-25)
Evidence (2024-06-06): Both London and the South East had a net fiscal surplus in the financial year ending (FYE) 2023; all other UK countries and regions had a net fiscal deficit. [...] Net fiscal deficit increased for each country and region in FYE 2023 except London and the South East, which both showed an increased net fiscal surplus, and Scotland which showed a decreased net fiscal deficit (using the geographic method of apportioning North Sea oil and gas we described in Section 2: Overview of country and regional public sector finances). Using the population-based method, London and the South East each increased their surplus, and the East of England and Scotland both reduced their deficit. [...] Most expenditure data, around 90%, are sourced from HM Treasury's Country and regional analysis publication, and the accompanying guidance note published on GOV.UK, includes information on how regional apportionment is carried out.
Claim: Central arts funding per capita in Northern Ireland is £4.72 per year, compared with £22.50 per person, per year in Ireland. (Arts Council NI, 2023-05-10)
Evidence (2023-05-10): At the time of the claim, those figures were correct. However, planned budget cuts for the Arts Council of Northern Ireland have since been reduced – and exchange rates have also changed. Arts funding in Ireland is now closer to four times higher than in NI, rather than five. It’s worth noting that the Arts Council of Ireland has a slightly wider funding remit than the equivalent body here.
Claim: Central arts funding per capita in Northern Ireland is £4.72 per year, compared with £22.50 per person, per year in Ireland. (Arts Council NI, 2023-05-10)
Evidence (2024-01-01): The over 40% cut to Arts Council Northern Ireland funding over the past 10 years, including 5% imposed by the unelected Permanent Secretary at the Department for Communities last year, has impacted artists, producers and communities. Prior to the most recent 2023 cuts, Arts Council Northern Ireland supported between 85-100 arts organisation through its annual funding programme. These organisations included venues, festivals, visual arts, music and community organisations. In 2023/4 11 were no longer funded and 74 were funded at a standstill, contributing further to that 40% cut in real terms over 10 years. [...] Arts and culture jobs in Northern Ireland are at risk. Arts Council NI now receives the equivalent of £5.07 per head of population. Our nearest comparator, Arts Council Wales, received £10.51 per head of population. The Irish Government invests £25.90 per capita in Eire. Northern Ireland arts receives less investment per capita than anywhere in England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
Claim: Central arts funding per capita in Northern Ireland is £4.72 per year, compared with £22.50 per person, per year in Ireland. (Arts Council NI, 2023-05-10)
Evidence (2024-10-07): Unlike the other three UK nations, Arts Council Northern Ireland (ACNI) does not have a national portfolio. Instead, it administers an Annual Funding Programme (AFP) which includes "all the larger scale venues and organisations that are key to the arts infrastructure in Northern Ireland", according to an ANCI spokesperson. Grants are allocated to organisations in all artforms and practices for both their core and programming costs. Again unlike the other arts councils, organisations in Northern Ireland have to reapply to be part of the programme each year. [...] The latest round of funding was announced in July this year and awarded 95 organisations just over £13m in total in what it termed "standstill funding". At the time of its annoucement, ACNI Chair Liam Hannaway acknowledged that arts funding in Northern Ireland "now sits at an all time low". With obvious frustration, he also said: "Despite fulfilling almost identical functions, investment in the Arts in NI sits at only £5.44 per capita, based on 2022/23 budget figures. This contrasts sharply with Wales at £10.35 and the Republic of Ireland at £25.90 per capita. A reinvestment in the arts is needed to regenerate a sector which struggles year on year to make ends meet."
Claim: Central arts funding per capita in Northern Ireland is £4.72 per year, compared with £22.50 per person, per year in Ireland. (Arts Council NI, 2023-05-10)
Evidence (2015-05-18): The value of the Arts - The Arts deliver big returns for our economy and for our society - The Arts currently receive just 0.1% of the Northern Ireland budget. It makes no sense to make further cuts to a sector which generates such a high rate of return on its investment - Cuts to the Arts budget will result in the contraction of frontline services and reduction of education and outreach programmes - The Arts bring people and communities together and make our lives richer. We saw this in action during Derry~Londonderry’s transformation into UK City of Culture 2013 - Public investment is the key to building confidence and leveraging additional funding from sponsors and private investors - The creative sector is one of the fastest growing in the economy, creating economic growth and jobs - The Arts support the work of many government partners, helping them to achieve their objectives in regeneration, reconciliation, tourism, creative industries, education and health - The Arts distinguish us from other places, make the world talk about us for all the right reasons and raise our global profile as a progressive place that’s ready to compete and do business
Claim: Central arts funding per capita in Northern Ireland is £4.72 per year, compared with £22.50 per person, per year in Ireland. (Arts Council NI, 2023-05-10)
Evidence (2022-03-02): Using public expenditure as a measure of public spending, total public expenditure per person in Northern Ireland in 2015–16 was 10% higher than in Ireland. More recently, it was near par with Ireland. As a part of national output (GDP), government consumption contributed an estimated 45% more, per person, in Northern Ireland than it did in Ireland. But government consumption excludes aspects of spending, like investment in roads and social welfare. [...] Using population estimates (Ireland, UK, Northern Ireland (Table 17)) and implied exchange rates (from the Eurostat figures), our analysis is that public expenditure per person in Northern Ireland in 2016–17 (for comparison with the academic paper) was £14,495; in Ireland, it was an estimated £13,264. Per person, total public expenditure in Northern Ireland was about 10% higher than in Ireland, in 2016–17. For 2019–20, the most recent data available for Northern Ireland, our analysis is that public expenditure per person in Northern Ireland was £15,905; in Ireland, it was an estimated £15,346. Per person, total public expenditure in Northern Ireland was 2% higher than in Ireland in 2019–20.
Claim: Central arts funding per capita in Northern Ireland is £4.72 per year, compared with £22.50 per person, per year in Ireland. (Arts Council NI, 2023-05-10)
Evidence (2024-08-10): The budget for the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the official funding and development organisation for the arts in the North, has fallen from £14.1 million in 2011-12 to £9.7 million in 2023-24, which with inflation represents a cut of about 40 per cent, it says. This works out as a budget of £5.07 per person per year in Northern Ireland, less than a quarter of the sum invested by the Government in the Republic, where the figure is £21.68 per person, according to the council. Even within the UK, the Northern Ireland budget is almost half that in Wales, the point of nearest comparison, which invests £9.45 per person in the arts annually. (Different remits in England and Scotland mean it is not possible to make a valid comparison.) [...] The Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s chief executive, Roisín McDonough, has said: "The government money available here is simply not enough to meet our fundamental objective and one of the Northern Ireland Executive’s priorities – to ensure that everyone has access to the arts."