Does half the UK get more in benefits than they pay in tax? episode artwork

EPISODE · Oct 8, 2025 · 26 MIN

Does half the UK get more in benefits than they pay in tax?

from More or Less · host BBC Radio 4

Tim Harford investigates some of the numbers in the news. This week:The Daily Mail says that over half of the UK population live in households that get more in benefits than they pay in tax - is it true?Do some billionaires earn more in a night than the population of Bournemouth earns in a year? New Green leader Zack Polanski seems to think so - we scrutinise the figures.Are older generations getting smarter? Have 77% of Gen-Z brought a parent along to a job interview? Really?If you’ve seen a number you think we should take a look at, email the team: [email protected]: Tim Harford Reporter: Lizzy McNeill Producer: Nathan Gower Series producer: Tom Colls Production co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound mix: Duncan Hannant Editor: Richard Vadon

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Does half the UK get more in benefits than they pay in tax?

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