Slave To The ’Rithm – Exams crisis fallout

The A-Levels fiasco could damage more than pupils’ futures and the career of Gavin Williamson. What will it mean for any potentially beneficial future use of algorithms in welfare, criminal justice, tax and social care? Does abolishing Public Health England make any sense except as a headline – and do panic reorganisations ever work? And can our political classes survive September without warm white wine at an in-person party conference? Special guest Sonia Sodha, chief leader writer at The Observer, joins us to explore the least silly Silly Season on record.  

• “The algorithm gave us workable average results, but children are not averages. They are individuals.” – Nick Timmins
• “The most selective institutions are now oversubscribed while middle and lower-tier universities are threatened with empty places and financial disaster.” – Sonia Sodha
• “Replacing Public Health England is extraordinary. It’s rebuilding the plane in mid-flight.” – Nick Timmins

Presented by Hannah White with Gavin Freeguard and Nick Timmins. Audio production by Robin Leeburn

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