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

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