The Big Question feature in the Independent is a reliably regular source of useful and interesting background articles. There is often an economic / environmental /social / business perspective to their choice of topics in the news. And the Indy handily provides some vivid graphics that can serve well as student handouts or a prompt for a data response question. Here is a brief selection of recent features

Why is inequality rising in the UK? (July 2009)

Can the G8 meet its climate change targets? (July 2009)

What has gone wrong between the Chancellor and the Governor? (June 2009)

Will there be cuts in public spending whichever party is in power? (June 2009)

Why are games consoles the focus of the battle between computer giants? (June 2009)