Understand

In recent decades the UK's growth has been deeply disappointing by its own historical standards. But some countries are booming. In the second episode of The Growth Conundrum BBC Verify's Policy and Analysis Correspondent, Ben Chu travels to Poland to find out how the once impoverished communist country is now achieving formidable economic growth rates and fast rising living standards. He talks to Polish businesses - big and small - about the opportunities growth creates and the entrepreneurial spirit behind their success. He speaks to Polish economic migrants, who left to work in the UK several years ago, but who have now returned, enticed by the greater opportunities in their homeland. And he meets Brits who see their future in Poland, including a Welsh plumber, now working in Krakow, who headed in the opposite direction to the many Polish plumbers who once moved to Britain. Ben asks what it's like to live in a rapidly growing economy - and what the UK can learn from Poland and other countries, such as Spain, which have turned their economies around?
Presenter: Ben Chu, Policy and Analysis Correspondent, BBC Verify
Producer: Caroline Bayley
Editor: Richard Vadon
Production Co-ordinators: Janet Staples and Katie Morrison
Sound Engineer: Neil Churchill
Credit: Auf Wiedersehen, Pet - S1 Ep.1 If I Were A Carpenter ITV Drama

Economic growth is something every UK government, up to and including the current one, claims to want above all else. But for almost 20 years, not a single one has been able to deliver sustained national economic expansion. BBC Verify's Policy and Analysis correspondent, Ben Chu asks why generating growth seems to be such a puzzle for us. In the first of a three part series he looks at what growth actually is, how it’s made human civilisation and the profound damage two decades of feeble growth have done to our living standards. Ben talks to businesses on the ground in the UK about what they think is holding them back and what’s stopping them - and the country - from growing.
Presenter: Ben Chu, Policy and Analysis correspondent, BBC Verify
Producer: Caroline Bayley
Editor: Richard Vadon
Production Co-ordinators: Janet Staples and Katie Morrison
Sound Engineer: Neil Churchill

Every UK government, up to and including the current one, claims to want to achieve economic growth. But for almost 20 years not a single one has delivered sustained economic expansion. BBC Verify's Policy and Analysis Correspondent, Ben Chu asks why generating growth seems to be such a puzzle for us. In this three part series he looks at what growth actually is, what's holding it back, as well as what we can learn from other fast growing economies and where the UK's future growth potential lies.

In the final episode of Michael Rosen’s series on masculinity and manhood, can comedian and podcaster Vittorio Angelone, following his tumultuous 20s, find his way to being a man that he actually likes.
At the start of his 20s, Vittorio found himself adrift in London, unsure of who he was or who he wanted to be. He felt paralysed by the many conflicting models of maleness competing for his attention online – all of them just different costumes he was trying on.
How will he find his own path?

Presenter: Michael Rosen
Producer: Rich Power
Executive Producer: Dave Anderson
Sound Mixer: Dan King
Editor: Kirsten Lass
Production Manager: Emily Duffy
Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke
A Loftus Media Production for BBC Radio 4

What’s it like to be a man in your 30s? In Episode 6 of Michael Rosen’s series about masculinity and manhood, filmmaker and former Premier League footballer Marvin Sordell puts darkness behind him to write a new chapter in his life.
By the time he was in his 20s, Marvin had clawed his way to the top level of football, playing in the Premier League and representing his country. But behind the scenes, he was battling a severe mental health crisis brought on by the pressure of the game and the hypermasculine culture that prevented him from sharing his struggles.
After taking the brave decision to leave his lucrative career behind, Marvin is rebuilding himself as a man in his 30s.
Presenter: Michael Rosen
Producer: Rich Power
Executive Producer: Dave Anderson
Sound Mixer: Dan King
Editor: Kirsten Lass
Production Manager: Emily Duffy
Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke
A Loftus Media Production for BBC Radio 4