At DailyPressUK.co.uk, accurate and reliable information is the foundation of our editorial mission. Our Fact-Checking Policy sets out the standards, workflows and responsibilities we follow to verify content before publication, particularly on subjects that affect readers’ understanding of public affairs, markets and society. This policy applies to all editorial content, including news articles, analysis, commentary and data-driven features.
What We Verify Before Publication
Our editorial team subjects claims to verification when they involve matters that could influence public understanding or decision-making. We prioritise verification of:
- Statistics and data: any numerical claim, survey finding, economic indicator or quantitative statement attributed to a study, report or official source.
- Public policy: descriptions of legislation, government programmes, regulatory changes, court rulings, parliamentary procedures and institutional decisions.
- Healthcare and medical claims: statements about treatments, health risks, medical studies, public health guidance or scientific consensus.
- Finance and the economy: market data, inflation figures, employment statistics, tax policy, corporate performance, consumer price claims and financial market commentary.
- Technology and digital affairs: claims about cybersecurity, data privacy, platform regulation, algorithmic systems and technology company practices.
- Legal matters: references to statutes, case law, legal rights, court outcomes, judicial reviews and regulatory enforcement.
Our Source Hierarchy
We apply a consistent hierarchy of sources to assess reliability. Wherever possible, we prioritise:
- Primary sources: official documents, original reports, court filings, legislation, regulatory rules, corporate disclosures and direct government data.
- Official records: publicly accessible datasets from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), government departments (gov.uk), parliamentary records (Hansard), the UK Statistics Authority, the Bank of England and comparable bodies.
- Public data repositories: peer-reviewed journals, academic research, official inquiries, select committee reports and publicly audited information.
- Expert commentary: attributed statements from qualified professionals, academics, industry specialists or accredited analysts, clearly named and contextualised.
- Clearly attributed references: all other claims are accompanied by a named source, document or link. Where attribution is not possible, content is either caveated or omitted. A full list of sources used in our reporting can be found on our Sources & Standards page.
Verification Workflow
Every article follows a three-stage verification process:
- Writer responsibility: the journalist producing the piece is required to source all claims from the hierarchy above, maintaining a record of references and original documents.
- Editor review: the relevant desk editor reviews the article for factual accuracy, source attribution and contextual balance before scheduling publication.
- Standards desk checks: sensitive content — including articles on health, finance, legal disputes, policy controversies or data-intensive topics — is escalated to Charlotte Reeves, our Standards & Fact-Checking Lead, for additional verification. Charlotte may request original documents, cross-reference datasets, consult expert sources or, where doubt persists, hold publication until certainty is achieved.
Handling Uncertainty
Where complete verification is not possible, we act transparently. We will attribute the claim to its source and make clear the limits of available evidence; caveat the statement with an explanation of uncertainty, including conflicting data or methodological limitations; or omit the claim entirely if it cannot be responsibly supported. We do not publish speculation as fact.
Use of Public Datasets
We rely extensively on public data from authoritative UK institutions, including the ONS, gov.uk, parliamentary records, the Home Office, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Office for Budget Responsibility and the UK Supreme Court. When we use such data, we link directly to the original source or dataset where possible, and we clearly describe the period, methodology and any limitations relevant to interpretation.
Corrections and Reader Reports
Despite rigorous checks, errors can occur. Our Corrections Policy outlines how we log, correct and acknowledge mistakes. Readers who identify potential inaccuracies are encouraged to contact our fact-checking team directly at factcheck@dailypressuk.co.uk. We review all reports promptly and update the article with a correction notice if an error is confirmed.
Editorial Independence and Governance
Fact-checking decisions are made independently of commercial or political influence. Our funding model, detailed on our Ownership & Funding page, ensures editorial control remains with the newsroom. For broader editorial standards, see our Editorial Policy. To learn more about the team responsible for upholding these standards, visit our Our Team page.