UK trade deficit widens - video

This is a great video from the BBC which discusses the UK trade deficit widening. Great revision or starter for balance of payments and exchange rates.

Prices still rising

Inflation measured by the CPI is currently at 3.5%, outside of the Bank of England’s target window. It is also much higher than many of our European Union counterparts. Have you noticed the prices in the supermarkets rising? 

The pound weakens - video

This is a great video from the BBC explaining why the value of the pound has weakened further this week. It is full of economic concepts making it an excellent revision tool too.

Great short macro video

Sky news have put up this great short video of Darling discussing the recent increase in economic growth. The 47 second clip is packed full economic concepts any of which could spark a discussion.

Great interactive data from the FT

Here is some great interactive data from the FT. The data looks at the CPI, unemployment, trade balance, consumer confidence and manufacturing survey from February 2008 and now. You will have to register if you haven’t already, but it is free to do so.

International Economics in videos

Two great videos to keep you up to date over half term.
Will Chinese New Year hail growth and Euro slump

The World on Wednesday - China and US chicken dispute

The latest in a series of trade disputes between China and the US is over the sale of chickens by the US to China at what the Chinese say is unfairly low prices. The tariffs (a tax on imports) will commence on 13th February. This will make the price of US chicken more expensive in China and therefore less competitive.

The National Debt in 3 minutes

This is a great 3 minute video on the UK’s national debt. It would make a great starter for talking about fiscal policy.

The World on Wednesday - Greece

This BBC video is a greater starter. Greece face a massive budget deficit and are now looking to the EU for help with how they deal with it. One of the major issues is that Greece’s problems could spill over and have damaging consequences to other EU countries.

Fun Fact Friday - Fat Tax

Innes talked last week about a fat tax. The key issue is how fair would this type of tax be. This weeks fun fact looks at the percentage of households that buy too much saturated fat (by income).