About that episode

Birmingham, England’s second city, went bankrupt. It sounds crazy, and it is. Municipalities can no longer spend money, except for essential services. The immediate cause is the fallout from the equal pay scandal. For years, women working in city government were paid less than men. The union took the case to court and the judge ruled in their favor. Since then, Birmingham has paid more than a billion in overdue payments, but now that no longer seems possible.

The basic problem: in the ten years to 2020, the central government provided far less funding to local governments, while population, and therefore costs, continued to increase. Therefore, Birmingham is not the only city that needs money. For now, Downing Street is refusing to intervene. The question is how long they can maintain this.

Also in this episode:

Hilarious riots on the famous Last Night of the Proms: there were lots of flags flying, as usual, but according to critics, there were too many European Union flags. And in the week that the British government announced that it would return to the European Horizon project for scientific cooperation.

Also in this episode

King Charles has been on the throne for one year. After her mother’s death, there was particular concern about her husband’s interference in government affairs, but these urges appear to have been controlled. How was the first year under Charles?

Do you have a question for Lia? Send a message (voice) via Whatsapp to 06 28 13 5013.

About Van Bekhoven’s Britten

In van Bekhoven’s Britten, Lia van Bekhoven and Connor Clerx talk weekly about the biggest news topics and most important developments in the UK. From Brexit to domestic politics, from the Kingdom to the tabloids. Why does England attract Dutch people more than many other European countries? What role does the UK play now in Europe, after the word Brexit seems to have disappeared from the lives of British people, but the consequences of the decision to leave the EU are becoming clearer with each passing day?

The British monarchy, as well as the state, is facing major changes following the death of Queen Elisabeth and the coronation of her son Charles. The Royal Family’s popularity was at its lowest ebb. How did the British monarchy change under King Charles’ reign, and what impact did this have on the Commonwealth? In Van Bekhoven’s Britten, Lia and Connor analyze Empires of declining prosperity, influence, and power. The Conservative Party Has Been Prime Minister For Thirteen Years, Will That End After Rishi Sunak? What would Britain look like under Labour’s Keir Starmer? And how do ‘ordinary’ Britons, if any, deal with this? All these questions and more are discussed in Van Bekhoven’s Britten. A critical look at England, where there seems to be a competition between Northern Ireland and Scotland to see who can break away from England first. How long will this Kingdom remain united?

After more than 45 years of British rule, Lia van Bekhoven has a unique view of Great Britain. A resident, but not an Anglophile, he paid close attention to news, politics, the monarchy and daily life in the North Sea. Every Wednesday you’ll receive a new podcast about Van Bekhoven’s life of Britten in your podcast app. Sharp analysis, depth that radio doesn’t have time for, and humor galore. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

About Lia

Lia van Bekhoven is the British correspondent for BNR Nieuwsradio, VRT, Knack and Elsevier, and often appears on talk shows as a news translator from England. He has lived in London since 1976 and, as well as being a correspondent for radio, television and written media, is also a book author. Mum went dancing, a legacy of Diana, Princess of Wales (1997), Land of the Divided Gods, Northern Ireland and the Troubles (2000), In London, 9 people walk through the British capital (2009) and Little England (2022).

About Connor

Connor Clerx is a presenter and podcaster at BNR Nieuwsradio. He has worked for BNR since 2017 and can often be heard on De Ochtendspits, Boekestijn en de Wijk and BNR Breekt.