Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer have gone head-to-head in their first TV debate of the 2024 election campaign. Here, we look at the evidence behind some of the claims they made with the help of academic expertise. The cost of living The opening question in this debate came from Paula, a member of the public who says the cost of living has left her in extreme hardship. Sunak tells Paula that the economy is growing and assured her that he has a “plan” that is working. A snapshot of the British economy provided by economist Michael Nower at the time the election was called a few weeks ago does ... (full story)