This edition of Panorama examined the state of the UK economy and how the cost of living crisis was influencing people’s standards of living. In that context the reporter explained that the Government rejected talk of failure or decline adding that “it’s true Britain is one of the richest countries in the world. But if that’s the case why do so many people feel so poor?”

The reporter didn’t specify which measurement he had in mind when referring to Britain as “one of the richest countries in the world” but in the ECU’s view it was reasonable to assume viewers would have judged what he said in the context of the subject matter of the programme. It was clear the question he was asking was “why do so many people feel so poor?” if the UK economy is traditionally regarded as one of the strongest in the world.

The vast majority of recognised bodies who assess the state and nature of economies around the world agree the UK is comparatively rich when assessed on a wide range of economic indicators. The ECU did not therefore believe viewers were likely  to have been misled by the reporter’s remarks.

Not Upheld