More or Less

Stand-up mathematician Matt Parker discusses the centenary of Woodall Primes and the call for new discoveries. He explains the uniqueness of Woodall Primes and how listeners can contribute to finding them. Also, the podcast explores the fairness of penalty shoot-outs in sports and potential solutions to level the playing field.

Exploring the rarity of deadly tower block fires like Grenfell Tower, highlighting the safety standards in high-rise buildings. Analysing the decline in fire incidents and deaths in UK residences due to technological advancements.

The Voice of 1960s British children’s TV series ‘Trumpton’, Brian Cant, died this week. The More or Less team has visited the town of Trumpton on a number of occasions so we have brought together a handful of our favourites as a tribute.

Post-election analysis of general election results, focusing on youth voter turnout, diversity in parliament, and unexpected outcomes. Explore discrepancies in crime statistics, election costs, and unusual candidacies like Lord Buckethead and Elmo.

Cheick Tiote, the former Newcastle United player tragically passed away while training with Beijing Enterprises. The podcast delves into the mortality rates of African football players and the potential risks they face, particularly from cardiac arrest. Dr. Robert and Professor Sanjay Sharma discuss the data and factors behind these tragic incidents, highlighting the differences in heart physiology among athletes.

Exploring claims on school funding, debunking myths about Conservative policies, analyzing government borrowing post-financial crisis, comparing political party donations, and discussing minimum armed response vehicle requirements for law enforcement.

Epidemiologist Elizabeth Pisani challenges composer Tony Haynes to turn medical statistics into music, resulting in a jazzy performance highlighting diseases like Zika and HIV. The collaboration showcases the unique fusion of data and art, aiming to raise awareness about disease impact and funding discrepancies.

This podcast explores tax policies, migration strategies, and the impact of Winter Fuel Payment changes. It also delves into free school meals, obesity, and the societal benefits of school lunches. Additionally, it discusses the unique gift ideas for statistics enthusiasts shared by listeners and concludes the series with a promise to return in August.

Educators Cathy Davidson, Daisy Christodoulou, and Andrew Old discuss the faulty education system and the claim that 65% of future jobs have not yet been invented. They explore the implications for preparing students for unknown roles in the workforce and debate the need for a modernized education system. Emphasis is placed on practical skills and statistical common sense for school children.

Former MI5 Head, Dame Stella Rimmington, discusses challenges in monitoring flagged individuals. Topics include care home statistics for older people, innovative penalty shootout structures in sports, and concerns over pre-release access to official economic data.