Economics in the News : Archive for March 2006 The following articles on Economics in the News were published during March 2006 |
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| Today's blog focuses on competition policy. After an investigation into the possible effects on competition in the UK retail book market, the Competition Commission has announced that a takeover of the bookseller Ottakar's by HMV, which owns the larger Waterstone's book chain, would not harm the public interest and that the takeover has been given the green light. | |
| Today's blog focuses on the UK balance of payments. This week however we got the revised figures for the balance of payments for the UK in 2005 and it does not make pretty reading. | |
| A selection of news stories in the news in the last couple of days including the strike by public sector workers, another rise in US interest rates, a further hike in the Chinese currency, and a feature on new member states wanting to join the Euro | |
| Today's blog contains links to a new page on European Economics presentations. All of my EU presentations have been revised and converted into web format - designed mainly for A2 students, but also useful for AS economists too! | |
| Today we are providing an updated version of our guide to revision and exam technique for Economics students. The advice is aimed primarily at AS and A2 level students although some of the comments and ideas may also be helpful for students taking other exams. | |
| It has been a busy week for interesting economics and business stories. Today’s blog provides a selection of them together with some links for you to explore the headlines in a little more detail. | |
| Today’s visits in the NE included an update on the U.K. automotive industry, globalisation, trans-national corporation location policies and real world examples of agglomeration arising from investment in manufacturing plants. Our morning was given over to a visit to the Nissan plant at Sunderland. In the afternoon we visited the Corus plant at Redcar. | |
| Today we considered examples of multiple deprivation and social exclusion in urban areas of Tyneside. Images and thoughts from the day. | |
| Our first full day on Tyneside and in County Durham offered so many experiences, reflective of the rich industrial heritage that the region can offer and also the enormous disparities in income, wealth and employment opportunities that exists within just a few miles of each other. | |
| Seven local authority areas in the North East are among the twenty seven worst areas for multiple deprivation. Easington in County Durham is the highest in this list, an area blighted by persistently high unemployment linked to the structural decline of the coal industry. | |
| Today we are looking at some of the issues relating to housing in the North East economy. The North East’s housing stock in March 2004 was 1,126,000 dwellings with a ratio of 2.25 persons per dwelling (slightly below the national average of 2.32. | |
| This week I am travelling to areas within the North East economy as part of a Geography Field Trip to the region. I am looking forward to the opportunity having spent twelve years on Tyneside as Head of Economics at the Royal Grammar School. Six years on, I am interested to revisit the area and draw some evidence on the health of the region within the context of the wider UK and European Union economy. Each day I will post blog entries on my experiences and I hope that the final result is a useful resource on the state of the region. | |
| The annual survey of hours and earnings is published by the Office for National Statistics and it provides a window on the sorts of jobs that pay, on average, well above the national mean contrasted with those that seem to be almost permanently towards the bottom of the pay ladder. Download a presentation on wage differentials. | |
| All markets fail to a lesser or great degree. The UK housing market certainly fails in a number of aspects and today’s blog offers a revision presentation on market imperfections in housing together with a summary of current government housing policy. You can download a copy of the presentation. | |
| I have updated my presentation on the economics of a minimum wage and this is available for download from today’s blog. | |
| Unemployment rose last month by the highest amount for over thirteen years providing more evidence that the UK labour market is softening following the recent economic slowdown. And news that the long awaited launch of the PlayStation III from electronics giant Sony has been delayed until November | |
| An update on the latest UK economic developments in a downloaded PowerPoint file | |
| Today's blog looks at the idea of personal carbon trading and also offers an updated PowerPoint presentation on the EU carbon trading scheme | |
| I have attached a revised presentation on European Union environmental policy which includes a section on the economics of waste. The UK government has launched a new review of waste reduction and waste management strategies and there are strong hints that policy will tend towards more waste being disposed of through incineration rather than dumped in landfill sites. | |
| Mr Stuart Rose, Chief Executive of Marks and Spencer plc, addressed a meeting of the Keynes Society of Eton College on 9th March. Mr Rose gave a presentation on the strategies adopted to revive the financial health of one of the United Kingdom’s best-known retailers. The presentation is available for download by scrolling down to the bottom of the page. | |
| Today I am making available for download a presentation that I gave to Year 11 students a few days ago about the Economics course on offer at our school. It may be useful for other teachers looking for a resource to tap into as a means of promoting the subject to current GCSE year students | |
| Today's blog contains a powerpoint presentation on "Globalisation and the British economy" delivered to students at Watford Boy's and Girl's Grammar School on Friday 10 March. Available for download. | |
| After over a decade of stress and struggle, Britain's cattle producers are breathing a sign of relief with the news that European Union (EU) veterinary experts have voted to end the ten year ban on beef and cattle exports from the UK. Download an article. | |
| The European fishing industry is in the middle of a crisis brought about by over fishing of available fish stocks and threats from other ocean fish producers in the world and from the rapid growth of fish farms. Download a presentation. | |
| Today's blog provides an updated excel spreadsheet on the UK economy with data on many key macroeconomic indicators covering the period 1995-2005. This might be a useful background resource for teachers. | |
| Are things looking up for the European economy? In recent times we have become used to a rather dismal procession of bad news on the macroeconomic performance of countries inside the Euro Zone. But recent data suggests better times ahead. | |
| A round up of some of the main economics and business stories this week ranging from a new analysis of growth prospects in emerging economies and expectations of a fall in VAT on contraceptives. | |
| One of our AS groups this week discussed the economics of an aviation tax on airlines. Is this the best way of controlling the environmental damage created by the rapid expansion of the airline industry? Or will it simply create more problems and damage the competitiveness of the European airline sector? | |
| Many parts of the UK are facing the worst winter water shortage for decades. Is this the time for water meters to become compulsory in all homes and businesses? | |
| This week some of my students have been preparing and delivering presentations on aspects of market failure and government intervention. I will be showcasing some of their presentations and adding in some recommendations for further background reading and research. | |
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| Other essential economics resources: | |
| econoMAX - the Economics Magazine for AS & A2 Economics | |
| Economics Exam Technique - Guidance from the Examiners | |
| The UK Economy in a Nutshell | |
| The European Economy - New Free Resources | |
| Economics - Student Discussion Board | |
| GCSE Economics Revision Notes | |
| AS & A2 Economics Revision Notes | |
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