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Is it true that out-of-work benefits have almost doubled?
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17 September 2025
Available for over a year
Tim Harford investigates some of the numbers in the news. This week:
Nigel Farage says 6.5 million people are on out-of-work benefits – with some benefits up 80% since 2018. Are those numbers right?
Do French pensioners really earn more than their working-age compatriots?
How is it possible for one kilogram of fish food to produce one kilogram of salmon?
And do we really have five senses?
If you’ve seen a number you think we should take a look at, email the team: [email protected]
Presenter: Tim Harford
Reporter: Lizzy McNeill
Producer: Nicholas Barrett
Series producer: Tom Colls
Production co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele
Sound mix: Neil Churchill
Editor: Richard Vadon