Maternity litigation, stars, bees and windowless planes

The former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt says that the cost of maternity litigation claims in England is now more than the cost of salaries for maternity nurses and doctors. We crunch the numbers and ask how worried parents and taxpayers should be. Also are there more bees in the world than stars in the galaxy? And would planes be much lighter if they didn’t bother with windows? Maths Professor Hannah Fry talks to us about her experience of cancer and the choices she and others have faced after a diagnosis. And we hear from author Simon Singh, who wants to bring fun maths conversations into homes everywhere.

Produced in partnership with the Open University.

Presenter: Tim Harford Series Producer: Charlotte McDonald Reporters: Nathan Gower, Lizzy McNeill, Jon Bithrey Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown Sound Engineer: James Beard Editor: Richard Vadon