Main content

How do you make something 10-times more lethal?

Plus, the value of the Sycamore Gap tree, pensioner-worker ratios and yoga v fishers.

What does the government mean when it commits to developing a “10-times more lethal” army?

Why was the much-missed Sycamore Gap tree said to be worth a strikingly exact £622,191?

Are there really twice as many people teaching Yoga as there are in the fishing industry?

Is the number of workers per pensioner really falling from 4 to 3 to 2?

And what did Donald Trump mean when he said the price of eggs had fallen by 400%?

Tim Harford investigates some of the numbers in the news.

If you want us to look at a number you think looks a bit suspicious, email the team - moreorless@bbc.co.uk

Please note an earlier edition of the programme incorrectly stated that the new EU-UK fishing agreement would last 4 years. The agreement length is 12 years.

More or Less is produced in partnership with the Open University.

Presenter: Tim Harford
Reporter: Lizzy McNeill
Producer: Nicholas Barrett
Series producer: Tom Colls
Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown
Sound mix: Neil Churchill
Editor: Richard Vadon

Available now

28 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Wed 11 Jun 2025 09:00
  • Fri 13 Jun 2025 16:30

Unlock the history and truth behind the data with The OU

OU Connect: Meet the unexpected figures that have influenced modern statistical research.

When can you trust statistics?

When can you trust statistics?

ѿý Ideas discovers three easy ways to help make sense of statistics.

Download this programme

Download this programme

Subscribe to the More or Less Podcast or download individual episodes.