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Does a fall in the UK's healthy life expectancy mean what you think it means?

5/27/202629 min

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?

A new government report estimates that HS2 will cost almost double its original estimate. We ask where the money’s gone.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has reduced VAT on theme parks, aquariums and other summer fun. But will these savings get passed on to the consumer?

And Tim gives a much-anticipated update on his recent marathon.

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 John McMinn Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown Sound mix: Neil Churchill Editor: Richard Vadon

Clips

Transcript preview

First 90 seconds
  1. Tim Harford· Host0:00

    This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

  2. Speaker 20:03

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  3. Speaker 30:52

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  4. Lizzie McNeil1:19

    Visit your nearby Lowe's on South 300 West in Salt Lake City.

  5. Tim Harford· Host1:23

    [gentle music] Hello, and welcome to More or Less, your effortlessly cool

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