You will recognise these claims from social media. Flip each one to see what the data actually says, then copy a ready-made reply to share wherever you see the myth.
The fiction
Immigration is a spiralling crisis, with “millions” of people “invading” the UK.
The facts
Migration into the UK is decreasing by almost every measure. Small boat arrivals (41,472 in 2025) accounted for around 5% of all migration.
The impact: framing immigration as an “invasion” creates a dangerous perception gap. People believe it is rising when it is falling, and that fear is used to mainstream extreme ideas like “remigration”.
Sources: ONS, Home Office via the Guardian
Immigration isn’t soaring, it’s actually falling. It dropped 20% in 2025 and net migration nearly halved, from 331,000 to 171,000 (ONS). Small boats are only around 5% of it.
The fiction
UK police run a “two-tier” system that treats white Britons more harshly than ethnic minorities.
The facts
Decades of research show the police display systemic bias against ethnic minority communities, not in their favour. The Director of Public Prosecutions has said there is “a greater likelihood of being prosecuted if you come from an ethnic group that is not white British”.
The impact: disinformation has left 52% of people convinced that minorities receive different sentences. Reframing isolated incidents as “proof” of anti-white bias is used to dismiss longstanding discrimination against people of colour.
Sources: Home Office, the Guardian
The “two-tier policing” thing is the wrong way round. Black people in England and Wales are 3.8 times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people (Home Office).
The fiction
Violent crime is rising, cities like London are unsafe, and immigration is to blame.
The facts
In 2025 the Metropolitan Police reported London’s lowest murder rate since 2014. One of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world, London is also one of its safest major cities.
The impact: peddling a false link between migration and crime capitalises on people’s fears and draws them towards more extreme ideologies.
Sources: Metropolitan Police, King’s College London via the Guardian
London’s actually getting safer. The murder rate in 2025 was the lowest since 2014, and neighbourhood crime fell 14% in the year to June (Met Police).
The fiction
Migrant and Muslim men are the biggest threat to women and children.
The facts
One woman is killed every four days in the UK by a partner or ex-partner. Following the 2024 riots, carried out under the guise of “protecting women and children”, 1 in 5 men arrested have since been reported for domestic abuse.
The impact: this rhetoric reinforces the misconception that gender-based violence comes from migrant strangers.
Sources: MoJ and ONS via LSE, End Violence Against Women
The data doesn’t back that up. Over 90% of rape and sexual assault is by someone the victim knows, and white defendants make up 88% of child sexual abuse prosecutions (MoJ and ONS).
The fiction
Far-right content is simply “edgy”, “provocative”, “banter” or “common sense”.
The facts
Research from the Centre for Emerging Technology and Security (CETaS) identified a “shadow influencer economy” where creators turn divisive content into profit, while social media algorithms increasingly reward incendiary material.
The impact: outrage generates views and revenue which, in turn, funds further radical content. This “click-hate” cycle can steer voters toward policies that run contrary to their own interests.
Sources: the Guardian, CETaS
It’s not banter, it’s a business. Rupert Lowe has made over £100k from X creator payouts since 2024 (the Guardian). Outrage literally pays.
The fiction
The far right are “defenders of Christianity” against secularism, Islam and “cultural Marxism”.
The facts
“The Cross and the Gospel of Christ must never be co-opted to support the messages that breed hostility towards others.”Presidents of Churches Together in England, 2025
This is a cynical and selective use of religion. A report by Christian think tank Theos found many UK churches welcome and support asylum seekers, in line with Christian teachings.
The impact: co-opting Christianity gives the far right new audiences, moral legitimacy and fundraising networks, including wealthy US Christian nationalist evangelists.
Sources: Churches Together in England, Theos, Humanists UK
Church leaders aren’t having it. Churches Together in England said “the Cross and the Gospel of Christ must never be co-opted to support the messages that breed hostility towards others”.
You’ve debunked all six myths. Now help stop them spreading. Copy a reply from any card and post it wherever these claims turn up: the comments, the family group chat, anywhere.
