More or Less

Latest Episodes:

The Story of Economics 'Cogs' Mar 23, 2011

Show notes

'More or Less' creator Michael Blastland goes to Chicago to explore a machine-like view of the economy in the second part of 'The Story of Economics'.

The Story of Economics 'Gods' Mar 16, 2011

Show notes

More or Less creator Michael Blastland lays out the history of economic ideas to understand why economics goes wrong and whether it can ever go entirely right. In the first programme of a three part series, Michael travels to Athens and the site of Aristotle's Lyceum - where economics as a discipline began.

Health check Jan 21, 2011

Show notes

The Government says Britain's health care standards have fallen behind those of our European neighbours. And World Health Organisation figures support his claim. But do those numbers tell the whole story?

Street grooming Jan 14, 2011

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We look at street grooming, examine the new bank taxes, revisit Ambridge in the wake of Loxleygate and ask just how many guys there are named Mo(hammed).

Big numbers Jan 07, 2011

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More or Less examines this week's claims and counter-claims about VAT, exposes some seriously sloppy reporting and - finally - reveals the truth about Jack the "psychic" monkey.

2010 in numbers Dec 31, 2010

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Tim Harford and the More or Less team explore 2010 in numbers. Happy New Year to all our listeners.

What the Dickens? Dec 24, 2010

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Boom. Bust. Bah humbug. Tim Harford narrates 'A More or Less Christmas Carol' in which British Bank plc boss Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of banking past, present and future. Will he heed their warnings?

Council of despair Dec 17, 2010

Show notes

Local government budgets are being cut. More or Less looks at how the pie is sliced and finds everything depends on Wokingham (yes, really). Plus: we take a look at inflation and consult the magic More or Less monkey.

Degrees of Debt Dec 10, 2010

Show notes

We look at the numbers behind the increase in the cap on undergraduate tuition fees in England. Are the changes fair and progressive? Are they dropping future students into a deep hole of debt? Or are they both?

Gay Britain Oct 01, 2010

Show notes

Tim Harford and the More or Less team examine the micromort measure of risk and official statistics on sexual identity.