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

Tim Harford investigates a fall in healthy life expectancy, the spiralling costs of HS2, the effect of government VAT cuts and his own marathon time.

Tim Harford investigates some of the numbers in the news. This week:

Headlines have claimed that 鈥渉ealthy life expectancy鈥� 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鈥檚 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 鈥楧erailed: The story of HS2鈥�
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

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29 minutes

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    Tim Harford explains the numbers and statistics in the news and in life.