copenlu/druid huggingface dataset:
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2017-06-21): Northern Ireland has become a serious tourist draw, thanks to some media spotlights coupled with already-existing rich culture and natural beauty. Here are our top reasons we think everyone should visit Northern Ireland at least once. [...] Northern Ireland is well known for its hospitality, so it’s not surprising that its accommodation options are some of the best in the world. As well as the many hotels, both grand and boutique, there are also more unusual accommodations such as the bubble domes at Finn Lough in County Fermanagh. There are many campsites around rural parts of the country, and Finn Lough might be perfect for anyone looking to experience nature without getting too messy. [...] Finally, it won’t break the bank. Northern Ireland is cheap to get to, cheap to get around and most of the attractions on this list are free or very inexpensive. The drop in the value of sterling might not be the best thing for natives, but it certainly pays off for visitors. Flights to Belfast are inexpensive, and, if you’re visiting from Britain, the ferry is too.
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2021-08-11): While you might assume that London is the least affordable place to live in the UK, it's actually Winchester in Hampshire that's been rated as most expensive in comparison to the average salary in the area. In fact, London doesn't even make it into the top five least affordable UK cities. On the other end of the scale, Derry in Northern Ireland has been highlighted as the most affordable city when you weigh up wage and house prices. So without further ado, here are the full lists...
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2021-08-11): The top 20 most affordable cities 1. Londonderry, Northern Ireland, 4.7, £155,917, £33,138 =2. Carlisle, North, 4.8, £163,232, £34,087 =2. Bradford, Yorkshire and the Humber, 4.8, £164,410, £34,219 =4. Stirling, Scotland, 5.4, £208,927, £38,744 =4. Aberdeen, Scotland, 5.4, £205,199, £38,016 =4. Glasgow, Scotland, 5.4, £196,625, £36,205 7. Perth, Scotland, 5.5, £203,229, £36,700 =8. Inverness, Scotland, 5.6, £191,840, £34,373 =8. Hull, Yorkshire and the Humber, 5.6, £156,424, £27,730 10. Dundee, Scotland, 5.8, £181,150, £31,344 11. Sunderland, North, 6.0, £179,567, £29,745 12. Lisburn, Northern Ireland, 6.1, £203,386, £33,138 =13. Salford, North West, 6.2, £211,903, £34,444 =13. Durham, North, 6.2, £196,274, £31,762 =13. Liverpool, North West, 6.2, £215,741, £34,911 =13. Belfast, Northern Ireland, 6.2, £205,228, £33,138 =13. Lancaster, North West, 6.2, £217,392, £35,004 18. Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North, 6.3, £229,434, £36,212 19. Stoke-on-Trent, West Midlands, 6.5, £200,161, £30,698 20. Hereford, West Midlands, 6.6, £316,929, £48,048
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2024-03-25): Northern Ireland, as the name suggests, is a small section of the island of Ireland that is part of the United Kingdom, setting it apart from its southern neighbor. Perhaps the most popular spot is the city of Belfast, the capital and second-largest city on the entire island. Although it gained notoriety in the 1800s as one of the most important port cities, its history actually goes back to the Mesolithic times, meaning it is more than 9,000 years old. [...] Northern Ireland is one of the loveliest parts of the United Kingdom, with much of the area consisting of rural regions and farmland. The area hosts some of the island's most popular sites, including the famous Giant's Causeway and other unique volcanic formations along the Atlantic coast and the Irish Sea. However, it is not just the natural scenery that makes Northern Ireland unique and a desirable place to visit. The region houses some 40 castles, some of which date back over 2,000 years and showcase the genius design of the craftsmen. With a welcoming atmosphere, mild weather, and jovial locals, Northern Ireland is the ideal spot to plan a vacation away from the hustle and bustle of life.
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2024-03-01): The cost of living in Northern Ireland is $1667, which is 1.23 times less expensive than the average in the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland ranked 9th most expensive and 4th best state to live in the United Kingdom. [...] We calculate prices for Northern Ireland as a weighted mean for the population of 6 cities. Since large cities tend to have a higher cost of living, it's better to visit specific city pages for more relevant information.
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2024-10-09): Childcare costs in NI among highest in Europe - research [...] According to a survey carried out by the group Employers for Childcare, the average cost of a full-time childcare place for one child in Northern Ireland is €11,900 per year. [...] Research from Ulster University in 2020 suggested childcare costs in Northern Ireland are among the highest in Europe.
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2022-03-18): Cost of living: One-in-four children in NI 'living in poverty', says charity - Published About one-in-four children in Northern Ireland are living in poverty, an analysis by a charity suggests. [...] The JRF said child poverty rates were highest in the Belfast City Council area, followed by Newry, Mourne and Down, and Derry City and Strabane.
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2021-08-11): The most affordable place to live is Derry, Northern Ireland, and has been for three years in a row, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.7. [...] Top 20 most affordable cities in 2021 1. Derry, NI, 4.7, average house price £155,917, average salary £33,138 =2. Carlisle, North, 4.8, £163,232, £34,087 =2. Bradford, Yorkshire and the Humber, 4.8, £164,410, £34,219 =4. Stirling, Scotland, 5.4, £208,927, £38,744 =4. Aberdeen, Scotland, 5.4, £205,199, £38,016 =4. Glasgow, Scotland, 5.4, £196,625, £36,205 7. Perth, Scotland, 5.5, £203,229, £36,700 =8. Inverness, Scotland, 5.6, £191,840, £34,373 =8. Hull, Yorkshire and the Humber, 5.6, £156,424, £27,730 10. Dundee, Scotland, 5.8, £181,150, £31,344 11. Sunderland, North, 6.0, £179,567, £29,745 12. Lisburn, NI, 6.1, £203,386, £33,138 =13. Salford, North West, 6.2, £211,903, £34,444 =13. Durham, North, 6.2, £196,274, £31,762 =13. Liverpool, North West, 6.2, £215,741, £34,911 =13. Belfast, NI, 6.2, £205,228, £33,138 =13. Lancaster, North West, 6.2, £217,392, £35,004 18. Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North, 6.3, £229,434, £36,212 19. Stoke-on-Trent, West Midlands, 6.5, £200,161, £30,698 20. Hereford, West Midlands, 6.6, £316,929, £48,048
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2023-12-18): According to the latest figures (median gross weekly pay in 2022 for full-time employees) across the 12 regions of the UK, Northern Ireland had the third lowest pay (£592), ahead of the North East of England (£575) and Yorkshire and the Humber (£579). The UK average was £640. [...] The latest figures from ONS for regions across the UK are for 2020. Using GVA (the value of an industry’s outputs less the value of intermediate inputs used in the production process) as a proxy for GDP, Northern Ireland has the lowest output per hour, closely followed by Wales. London has the highest output per hour. Analysts note that furlough affected the number of hours people worked. However, NI has nearly always been the least productive region of the UK over the last two decades. [...] While different datasets need to be accessed and compared to get a view of productivity across UK regions and Ireland, there is plenty of evidence to indicate that Northern Ireland’s productivity is the lowest in the UK and much lower than in Ireland.
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2021-11-08): Derry~Londonderry is the UK’s most affordable city to live in, study reveals [...] The most affordable place to live in is Derry, Northern Ireland, and has been for three years in a row, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.7. House prices in Lisburn and Belfast are also among the top 20 most affordable of any city in the UK.
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2024-07-22): Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland is a very affordable city to live in compared to mainland UK. It has a rich history and has transformed from being a riverside settlement into one of the most vibrant cities in in the UK. The city's gorgeous landscape, mountains, hills, lough's, rivers, castles and historical buildings attributed to its breathtaking scenery. Cost of Living: The typical cost of living in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is relatively low. The rent for a one-bedroom flat is £325 outside the city and approximately £495 inside. The monthly travel pass is £50, while the cost of basic utilities is approximately £120. [...] Nottingham is the friendliest and least expensive city in the United Kingdom to live in. In addition to the 20 parks and other attractions in the area, there are excellent schools, an average salary of £25,334 and reasonably priced homes when compared to other parts of the UK. This city is generally 35% less costly to live in than London, 10% more expensive than Liverpool, and 9% less expensive than Bristol.
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2022-02-25): Belfast is among the UK’s most affordable cities, and is significantly cheaper than Dublin – especially in terms of rent.
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2023-07-27): Northern Ireland 'most affordable region in the UK to buy a house' Northern Ireland is the region of the UK where it is most affordable to buy a house, official data suggests. [...] At the peak of Northern Ireland's housing bubble in 2008 it was the least affordable regional housing market, but since 2012 has usually been the most affordable.
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2024-09-02): The Department for Education (DfE) said all additional costs are voluntary, and parents should be told they can supply their own food and supplies to make their childcare entirely free. [...] How expensive is UK childcare? [...] Although all three and four-year-olds are entitled to some free childcare across the UK, different schemes operate in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2024-10-09): In Northern Ireland, funded preschool places of at least 12.5 hours, or 22.5 hours for some children, per week are available for children in the year before they start school. Families can apply for a pre-school place in Northern Ireland through the Education Authority website. [...] How to make the most of free childcare - Check what you are eligible for. For families in England who are unsure which types of support they are entitled to, the government’s childcare calculator is a helpful place to start. This calculator can also be used by families in Scotland and Northern Ireland to give an estimate of the funding they may be able to access. Families in Wales can check their eligibility on the Childcare Offer for Wales website.
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2024-09-02): The Department for Education (DfE) said all additional costs are voluntary, and parents should be told they can supply their own food and supplies to make their childcare entirely free. [...] How expensive is UK childcare? [...] Although all three and four-year-olds are entitled to some free childcare across the UK, different schemes operate in Scotland, external, Wales, external and Northern Ireland., external
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2024-08-16): - Northern Irish nurseries – Curricular Guidance for Pre-school Education [...] Costs vary considerably across areas, with childcare in London and southeast England being the most expensive. [...] Useful resources - GOV.UK – a UK government website that provides information about childcare in the country - mygov.scot – provides childcare information for Scotland - gov.wales – provides childcare information for Wales - NI Direct – offers information about childcare in Northern Ireland - childcare.co.uk – provides information on childcare and how to find services - Coram Family and Childcare – a childcare resource for families in the UK
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2019-01-16): Childcare is the biggest monthly bill faced by 35% of families in Northern Ireland, costing more than mortgages or rent, according to a survey. The Employers For Childcare poll found the average cost of full-time childcare is £8,632 per year in Northern Ireland. [...] Parent Gemma Blake told BBC News NI that, at one point, her family was paying more than £1,000 in childcare bills each month.
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2024-07-29): FSNI have produced a useful video outlining Financial Assistance with Childcare Costs and helpful information about how to access this :- [...] (Starting from 1st Septmeber 2024) The Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) is a Department of Education initiative designed to reduce the childcare costs of eligible working parents by 15% for all qualifying children. The overarching aim of this scheme is to help working parents with the affordability of childcare costs. [...] Northern Ireland Childcare Support Scheme (NICSS) (at FamilySupportNI.gov.uk)
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2023-09-28): The Independent Fiscal Commission (of which I was a member) estimated that areas of ‘super-parity’ cost Northern Ireland around £600 to £700 million in 2020/21, or some 4 per cent of the Northern Ireland Budget. £345 million was the amount allocated to water charges as taken out of the Northern Ireland Executive budget to ‘pay’ for the fact that Northern Ireland residents do not pay water charges. Specifically, the Northern Ireland Executive has extended the power for the Department for Infrastructure to pay a subsidy to NI Water, in lieu of domestic water charging since 2007. [...] At the other end of the spectrum, we have ‘sub-parity’, where childcare stands out as an area that lags behind other parts of the UK. The Executive does receive a Barnett consequential as a result of UK Government spending on childcare provision which we receive through the block grant, but these monies are not currently being used to provide parity on these areas of policy. England offers 30 hours per week of free childcare, for 38 weeks of the year to all three- and four-year-olds to all eligible working parents’ children. By September 2025, the provision will be extended and will cover all children above the age of nine months. The same provision is not available in Northern Ireland.
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2024-06-12): The childcare system in Northern Ireland has reached a breaking point – for parents and for early learning and childcare providers. Early learning and childcare is not affordable for families. The last Northern Ireland Childcare Survey (2023) found the cost of a full–time childcare place is now over £10,000 per year – for 41% of families, childcare is their largest monthly outgoing ahead of their mortgage or rent. For some families, paying for childcare is leading to household debt, with 56% using means other than their income to pay for childcare, including savings, credit cards and loans. [...] Northern Ireland requires a bespoke funding model for the sector to better meet the needs of all families but with a focus on disadvantaged children. While the recent announcement by the Education Minister of a package of support for early learning and childcare, including a new Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy scheme, is a welcome interim measure, it is initially focused only on supporting eligible working parents of children under school age. The detail of how the scheme will be rolled out and further information around eligibility, is still to be confirmed.
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2024-05-31): CLAIM: 73% of childcare settings in Northern Ireland have either increased fees in 2024, or plan to do so before the end of June. On 9 April in a statement about childcare costs delivered to the Northern Ireland Assembly, Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl said: "73% of providers have eitherArticles | [...] On 11 March, Belfast Live posted on its Facebook page that: "Northern Ireland has been named as one of the cheapest regions in the UKArticles |
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2023-01-01): Childcare can be expensive but there is help available towards the costs of childcare. This guide covers the various support options that may be available to you. For information about the additional support available if your child has a special educational need or disability, check our 'Guide to childcare for children with special educational needs and disabilities in England'. [...] In England, Scotland and Wales you will usually become eligible in the term after your child’s birthday. For example, if your child turns three on 13 October, you will be able to get free childcare from January. In Northern Ireland, you will be eligible the year before your child enters Primary One.
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2015-03-24): - England - through Ofsted or the list of registered childminder agencies - Wales - through Care Inspectorate Wales - Scotland - through the Scottish Care Inspectorate - Northern Ireland - through the local early years team register [...] - they’re in a childcare approval scheme in Northern Ireland - they care for your child outside your home - they care for at least one other child that is not related to you [...] You may be able to claim if a foster carer provides childcare in Wales, provides childcare in Scotland or provides childcare in Northern Ireland.
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2024-09-26): Childcare provided in RoI, must be approved by the relevant state (RoI) and must be an approved childcare provider. You can check for registered childcare providers in RoI on the Tusla website. [...] £1,014.63 or one child, and £1,739.37 for two or more children
Claim: Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare. (Penfold, 2023-03-11)
Evidence (2024-04-08): Government funding of childcare in Northern Ireland is different to the rest of the UK, and schemes such as the ‘30 hours free childcare’ scheme are not available here. While there is no scheme for free childcare in Northern Ireland, there is other support currently availablee for families: [...] Through our work with families, we know that many parents want to see the introduction of a ‘free’ childcare offer, similar to that which is available in other parts of the UK. We understand the attraction of ‘free childcare’ for parents who are struggling to afford childcare, but it is essential that we see a scheme developed that is unique to Northern Ireland, while taking on some of the best parts of what is available elsewhere in the UK and in other countries. [...] We also know that, for many families, childcare can be most expensive when their children are younger than age three or four, and when parents – particularly mothers – are seeking to return to work from a period of parental leave. This is why we would like to see the Executive in Northern Ireland deliver better support with childcare to all parents, not just those with children aged 3 and 4. And critically, this must also support the sustainability of childcare providers enabling them to invest in delivering quality provision and in their workforce.
Claim: Children who take a COVID-19 vaccine 52 times more likely to suffer an early death. (The Exposé website, 2022-02-07)
Evidence (2022-02-07): Data does not support this claim. Deaths of children after vaccination are too rare to inform reliable estimates. A temporary increase is possible because children with significant pre-existing health problems received vaccines before their peers.
Claim: Children who take a COVID-19 vaccine 52 times more likely to suffer an early death. (The Exposé website, 2022-02-07)
Evidence (2022-05-10): Data does not support this claim. Deaths of children after vaccination are too rare to inform reliable estimates. A temporary increase is possible because children with significant pre-existing health problems received vaccines before their peers. A website claimed that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine "increases children’s risk of death by 5100% according to the Office for National Statistics". [...] Younger children already dealing with significant health problems, and thus already at greater risk of an early death, were prioritised for vaccination and were therefore over-represented in this sample, when compared with the general population.
Claim: Children who take a COVID-19 vaccine 52 times more likely to suffer an early death. (The Exposé website, 2022-02-07)
Evidence (2022-08-15): The safety of COVID-19 vaccines in children is an important consideration. Serious heart conditions (myocarditis and pericarditis) have been reported during community surveillance with mRNA vaccines Comirnaty and Spikevax in Canada,100 USA101 and Israel102 showing a predominance for male patients in adolescent age groups (15–24 years).101 For this reason, the use of the Spikevax vaccine in Sweden and Norway has been temporarily suspended for those <30 years in Sweden and those <18 years in Norway (with Comirnaty recommended for men <30 years) due to the potential of an increased incidence in heart inflammation compared to Cormirnaty.103,104 While both mRNA vaccines are associated with an increased risk of myocarditis/pericarditis, head-to-head comparison data in the US among 18–39-year olds shows Spikevax has a significantly higher rate of myocarditis/pericarditis compared to Cormirnaty.105 A direct comparison in the 12–18-year age group is still not possible given the different age groups authorised to receive each vaccine.105 Ongoing surveillance will be crucial to detect any rare side effects even with reduced dosages in younger age groups. Until recently, vaccine safety in very young (<12 years of age) was unclear.