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Lucy Ash sees how young Europeans are facing up to a time of economic and political crisis

Lucy Ash examines how young Europeans are facing up to a time of economic and political crisis

Generation E: Series 2

Generation E: Series 2: Episode 2: Loans for Life in Latvia

Factual

Loans for Life in Latvia

Episode 2

Episode 2: Loans for Life in Latvia

Series 2

BBC Radio 4 - Generation E, Series 2, Loans for Life in Latvia

Lucy visits Latvia, where she finds that life for young people is particularly tough.

Lucy visits Latvia, where she finds that life for young people is particularly tough - they face losing their homes and still being saddled with debt; or they simply leave.

As the economic crisis deepens and schisms emerge, Lucy Ash travels across Europe to meet the continent's next generation, who face an uncertain future. She explores the challenges they face and the ways in which they are meeting them.
In this programme she travels to Latvia. When the economic crisis hit, Latvia introduced some of the strictest austerity measures to be found anywhere in Europe. Its GDP fell by 25 per cent. Now it is trumpeted by the IMF as a great success story. But Lucy Ash discovers that life for young people is still extremely tough. She speaks to those who have lost their homes but still owe the banks huge debts, while others have simply left the country.
In Italy she meets Milan's youngest city councilor, who says he is trying to change the corrupt politics of his country and argues that it is Italy's - and his - last chance.
The new Hungarian government has introduced a raft of new laws, which critics argue are increasingly authoritarian and, in some cases, break EU laws. Lucy hears how sleeping rough on the streets is punishable by a fine or prison sentence; and about how some students who receive a government grant are required to sign an agreement saying they won't leave the country for ten years.
In Poland she visits a re-opened coal mine which is attracting young workers in an area of high unemployment; and she speaks to young entrepreneurs who are resorting to illegal means because they say the country's taxes are crippling them.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Lucy Ash sees how young Europeans are facing up to the economic crisis

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Episode 2: Loans for Life in Latvia

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