Nadine Dorries appeared to have got her numbers mixed up yesterday ahead of a crucial by-election in Hartlepool.
The health minister of state claimed Boris Johnson has delivered 180,000 well-paid jobs in the town thanks to Brexit trade deals and a new Freeport announced earlier this year.
But eagle-eyed Twitter users were quick to point out that the figure amounts to double the population of the town, which is home to just 92,028 residents according to the last census.
Dorries seemingly misquoted a Budget announcement by chancellor Rishi Sunak, which promised to deliver 18,000 jobs in the area when a new Freeport is set up.
It is also likely that the jobs will be spread across the wider Teesside area, rather than just in Hartlepool.
Back in March Sunak announced eight freeport locations in the UK, including East Midlands Airport, Felixstowe, Humber, Liverpool City Region, Plymouth, Solent, Thames and Teesside.
Goods that arrive into these destinations from abroad aren’t subject to the tax charges, called tariffs, that are normally paid to the government.
These taxes are only paid if the goods leave the freeport and are moved elsewhere in the UK. Otherwise, they are sent overseas without the charges being paid.
Needless to say, Dorries comments were quick to get the social media treatment. Here’s what people had to say:
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