Lies, damn lies and statistics

"There's only two people in your life you should lie to: the police and your girlfriend" – Jack Nicholson View this email in your browser The IFS has become the Sword of Solomon in British politics - the final arbiter of truth and falsehood in a world of economic promises. So today's report into Tory, Labour, Lib Dem and SNP spending promises was keenly awaited and unsurprisingly damning. The word 'costed' has been used quite a lot in this election, but you'll notice that it requires many visits from our old friend 'new tax evasion measures'. This is the special magic-stuff of Budgets and manifestos, a mercurial substance which can expand to any size you want it to. We look at the way the IMF report gives the lie to the four parties' manifestos and the gap between their rhetoric and the reality. And we also investigate what the long-term damage might be of politicians' reluctance to actually engage with voters on the campaign trail. In other news, we have a special report on the decision to raise the age for smear tests from 20 to 25. Why was this decision taken and how many young women are going undiagnosed because of it? Latest Articles     Damning IFS judgement shows how much all parties have to hide   On Apr 23, 2015 12:40 pm The gap between what parties promise and what they'll do has never been greater. Today's IFS report shows quite how misleading the election campaign has become. Read more... »   Insulting voters can only lead to defeat – for both the Tories and Labour   On Apr 23, 2015 09:38 am Shutting out the voters might seem like a sensible strategy, but it can only lead to one result: a slap in the face come polling day. Read more... »       Cervical cancer: Does the smear age need to be lowered?   On Apr 23, 2015 09:00 am A change in the rules to start smear tests at 25, rather than 20, could be leaving more young women without treatment Read more... »   Comment: The death which shows the human cost of Farage's health tourism rhetoric   On Apr 22, 2015 09:51 am Dalton Messam was so scared of doctors asking for his papers, that he refused to visit a hospital. His death is the latest human price of our hysterical rhetoric around health tourism Read more... »   Opinion Former videos   Universities are a vital source of knowledge for policymakers   On Apr 21, 2015 09:45 am Manchester Policy Blogs offers expert insight, analysis and comment from researchers at The University of Manchester on key public policy issues. Read more... » Don't just shout at the telly - get out and vote   On Apr 20, 2015 10:36 am The GMB calls on you to vote for your mum, your nan and the mates you went to school with. Read more... »   Opinion Formers press releases     Long delays in Scottish firearms licensing are unacceptable Delays of up to nine months in processing firearms licence applications and renewals by Police Scotland have been described as unacceptable by the UK's largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC). Read more... »   Tourism on the election agenda The National Caravan Council (NCC) has welcomed the recognition of tourism in a number of party election manifestos and has urged the next Government to support and grow this vital industry. Read more... »       Facebook Twitter Website Copyright © 2015 Politics.co.uk (Adfero Media Ltd), All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at www.politics.co.uk Our mailing address is: Politics.co.uk (Adfero Media Ltd) 501 Metropolitan Wharf Building 70 Wapping Wall London, E1W 3SS United Kingdom Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences