More or Less: Behind the Stats Does half the UK get more in benefits than they pay in tax?
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Oct 8, 2025 Tim Harford dives into the claim that over half of the UK gets more in benefits than they pay in taxes, revealing surprising truths. He questions whether billionaires can indeed earn more overnight than an entire city. The discussion also explores if older generations are becoming cognitively sharper. And did 77% of Gen Z really bring a parent to job interviews? The investigation reveals flaws in survey methods. Get ready for a statistical rollercoaster through claims and misconceptions!
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Richest-1% Claim Was Ambiguous
- Zach Polanski's claim about richest 1% earning more than Bournemouth was ambiguous and exaggerated.
- BBC Verifies showed the literal claim (UK 1%) is false but the global 1% interpretation is plausible.
Cohort Gains Raise Older Cognitive Levels
- Average cognitive test scores have improved across cohorts, giving older people higher starting points.
- That means today's 70-year-olds decline from a higher midlife peak than previous generations.
Most 'Beneficiary' Households Get Service Value
- ONS data show over half of people live in households receiving more in 'benefits' than they pay, using a broad definition.
- Much of that value comes from public services (education, NHS), and retirees make up a large share.