logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2024
28m 32s

Shopping, shipping and wind chill-ing

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode
<p>Was Labour shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves wrong about the increase in the price of the weekly shop? What has the violence at sea done to the cost of shipping? Why did YouGov feel the need to correct an analysis of their polling? Are there 30 million GP appointments every month? And how does wind chill work? Tim Harford investigates the numbers in the n ... Show More
Up next
Today
Does the average teacher really earn £54,000?
Tim Harford investigates some of the numbers in the news. This week:(00:32) A government minister has informed the nation that average teacher pay in England is around £54,000. Radio 4 listeners are howling at the radio in disbelief. Surely someone from the IFS would be able to e ... Show More
28m 28s
Jul 4
Does a full moon make crime rates go up?
The Moon is one of the most captivating features of our night's sky, and apparently, one of the most suspicious.... For thousands of years, people have blamed the full moon for strange behavior. From ancient myths and the origins of the word lunacy to modern police folklore, the ... Show More
8m 58s
Jul 1
Examining the numbers behind Andy Burnham’s ‘Manchester Miracle’
Tim Harford investigates some of the numbers in the news. This week:(00:23) Andy Burnham may not be Prime Minister yet, but he’s setting out his economic agenda, and its based on his old stomping ground, Greater Manchester. We ask whether the official figures that seem to show an ... Show More
28m 29s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2022
More or Less a Recession?
Is the UK economy headed for its longest ever recession? Tim Harford, BBC presenter and “Undercover Economist”, unscrambles the latest figures, explains what happens when the economy starts to shrink, and chats to Adam about his uni lessons with former PM Liz Truss.Also, as Just ... Show More
36m 8s
Jan 2023
Blue Lights Out
Talking strikes, pay negotiations and GPs with Labour’s Wes Streeting.Adam and Chris sit down with the shadow health secretary to discuss what Labour would be doing differently if they were in government.Plus, Tim Harford from More or Less brings his spreadsheet for some NHS numb ... Show More
35m 40s
Sep 2021
Petroldread
People are talking about the UK's fuel queues.Driver shortages, an energy crisis and rising inflation... But are we really heading towards a new "Winter of Discontent" (like the one in 1978)? To find out, we’ve got the BBC’s political reporter from back in the day, Nick Jones.   ... Show More
34m 31s
Oct 2021
Ask Reeves
The shadow chancellor’s take on the BudgetThe fallout from the Budget and spending review continues, as the IFS today says millions of people will be worse off by 2022. The Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves joins Adam and Chris to explain how Labour would do things differently.And ... Show More
27m 50s
Mar 2023
Slipping through the Net Zero?
Government launches its new UK climate plan, but does it go far enough? Adam and Chris are joined by Labour’s Liz Kendall, the shadow minister for health and social care, and Emma Pinchbeck, boss of Energy UK, the energy industry’s trade association.And the government’s former he ... Show More
31m 32s
Oct 2022
Gilt Trip
Can the Bank of England calm the markets?Victoria Derbyshire is in the presenter’s chair and is joined by Ben Chu, Newsnight’s economics editor, who explains what's going on, and how it could affect your finances.Chris Mason is also on, after the Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, gets ... Show More
32m 52s
Mar 2022
Home Service
Levelling Up Secretary, Michael Gove, has unveiled the government’s new “Homes for Ukraine” refugee scheme. Adam is joined by the BBC’s Mark Easton and prospective host, hotel manager Charlie Green to chew over how it will work. We ask the UK’s Permanent Representative to the Uni ... Show More
33m 39s
Nov 2022
Making an Autumn Statement
Labour’s shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves reacts, after the government announces tax rises and a spending squeeze, as well as money for schools and the NHS.She’s also quizzed on what her party would do differently.Following her, host of Radio 4’s Money Box Live Adam Shaw, with mat ... Show More
32m 34s
Feb 2024
Barmy Barometers
<p>Can lipstick, packed lunches and pants tell us about the health of the economy? Matt is joined by The Times' Science Editor Tom Whipple to test the theories and judge whether the times we're living in are good or bad.&nbsp;</p><br><p>Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Mar ... Show More
47m 34s
Nov 2021
Gas-gow
World leaders are talking conifers, cash and cows. But is it all hot air? Laura K and Rebecca M explain all the comings and goings at the COP26 Climate Conference today.The ex-President of the Maldives chats to Adam about whether rich tourists should stop flying to his sun-soaked ... Show More
32 m