Episode
Does a fall in the UK's healthy life expectancy mean what you think it means?
- Podcast
- More or Less
- Published
- May 27, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1719
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002wvdd
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Summary
Tim Harford investigates some of the numbers in the news. This week: Headlines have claimed that “healthy life expectancy” in the UK has fallen by two years. What does this actually mean? (00:32) A new government report estimates that HS2 will cost almost double its original estimate. We ask where the money’s gone. (10:26) Chancellor Rachel Reeves has reduced VAT on theme parks, aquariums and other summer fun. But will these savings get passed on to the consumer? (21:07) And Tim gives a much-anticipated update on his recent marathon. (09:10) Contributors: Stuart McDonald - actuary at LCP Health Analytics John Burn-Murdoch - Chief Data Reporter for the Financial Times Kate Lamble - journalist and presenter of ‘Derailed: The story of HS2’ Dan Neidle - founder of Tax Policy Associates Credits: Presenter: Tim Harford Reporter / Producer: Lizzy McNeill Producers: Tom Colls, Nathan Gower and Josh McMinn Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown Sound mix: Neil Churchill Editor: Richard Vadon