Complaint
A listener complained about an interview concerning the fiscal and political constraints facing the incoming Prime Minister. The presenter introduced the discussion by referring to a situation where “the chest is empty”. The listener argued this reflected a particular view of government finances, presented as fact, and failed to acknowledge alternative economic theories which reject comparisons between government finances and household finances. The ECU considered the complaint under the BBC’s editorial standards of due accuracy and due impartiality.
Outcome
The ECU found the interview was not an examination of competing economic theories but a discussion of the practical political and fiscal constraints faced by the incoming Prime Minister. In this context, the phrase “the chest is empty” was a figure of speech which listeners would be unlikely to interpret as a literal statement about the nature of government finances. The subsequent discussion focused on spending choices, fiscal rules, taxation and growth, reinforcing that interpretation. It therefore found the discussion was not materially misleading. The ECU also concluded due impartiality did not require reference to alternative economic theories in this context
Not upheld