Boris Johnson has been slapped down by the official statistics watchdog for making a false claim about Universal Credit.
Two weeks ago, the Prime Minister told PMQs the six-in-one benefit "has in fact succeeded in getting 200,000 people into jobs."
But the UK Statistics Authority has now ruled his claim was inaccurate - because the figure is only predicted once the benefit is fully rolled out in 2024.
The public body polices politicians' use of statistics, and repeatedly lambasted Mr Johnson in 2016 for using the fake claim that the UK sends £350m a week to Brussels even after being told it was untrue.
UK Statistics Authority chairman Sir David Norgrove issued the ruling after a complaint by Labour.
He wrote to the Opposition: "You asked the UK Statistics Authority to investigate the claim that 'Universal Credit has in fact succeeded in getting 200,000 people into jobs.'
"As you say, the 200,000 figure represents the Department for Work and Pensions’ estimate of the predicted impact on employment once Universal Credit is fully rolled out rather than the effect so far."
"I am copying this letter to the Prime Minister."
Margaret Greenwood, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, responding to the news from UK Statistics Authority which confirmed the Prime Minister’s claim about number of people in work because of Universal Credit was false, said:
“The Prime Minister’s claim that Universal Credit has succeeded in getting 200,000 people into work is simply wrong. Even his own government has said that this cannot be measured.
“It is vital that the Prime Minister gets his facts straight. Anything less is to let down all of those people who are on Universal Credit.
“ Boris Johnson must apologise and correct the record immediately."
