Category
Topic updates
Adapting to Climate Change Across East Asia and the Pacific
This World Bank clip looks at the implications of climate change for East Asia and the Pacific, and their ability to adapt to the challenges that it poses and, hopefully, overcome them.
Steel and Planes - Should the UK government subsidise the transition to green energy?
I'll be moving onto government intervention soon in my Year 12 microeconomics. So these two stories on lobbying for government subsidy caught my eye as potential mini case studies for student...
UK Interest Rates and House Prices - A Quick Update
Ahead of the latest UK base rate decision, this Guardian editorial is aggressively anti-Bank of England, arguing that any decision to significantly raise interest rates tomorrow is not in the...
Environmental Economics - How to Stop Deforestation?
This Economist clip looks at the extent to which deforestation has generated negative externalities, the causes and consequences of this, as well as the potential solutions to this, at a time when...
Single Currency - Croatia to join the Euro in January 2023
In June 2022, Croatia was given the go-ahead by fellow member nations of the European Union to switch to the single currency from the 1st of January 2023. Croatia stands to become the 20th nation...
Fiscal Policy - How Much Could be Raised by a Wealth Tax?
Campaign group, Tax Justice UK, argues that the government could implement five tax reforms, most notably equalising Capital Gains and income tax rates, to reduce levels of tax avoidance, among...
Luxury Goods - Why are Nordic Blueberries so expensive?
It is a question I have often asked of myself wandering down a supermarket aisle. Why are Nordic Blueberries so expensive? "Nordic blueberries" or bilberries, grow in Nordic forest, and rapid lose...
Comparative Advantage - Taiwan - a Microchip Superpower
BBC Newsnight launched their Newsnight Global programme last night and the special on Taiwan was superb. Within it was a segment from Economics Correspondent Ben Chu on Taiwan's status as - far and...
Key Stats on the World Economy
When you are studying globalisation, it is handy to have some key stats on the world economy at your fingertips.
Update on the UK Economy - October 2022
Here is a quick update on the UK economy. We'll aim to produce one each month as we head into what many economists predict will be a difficult autumn and winter for the UK. Can a severe recession...
Business Economics - Can Body Shop Thrive in a Recession?
Today's Observer carries an interview with the CEO of Body Shop, a business owned by Brazilian firm Natura which has weathered several storms in recent years and - having cut back on their store...
UK Economy - What can be done to reduce economic inactivity?
The UK's employment rate has fallen since the pandemic – unlike other major economies. There is a lengthy piece here by The Observer's Heather Stewart on the rise in economic inactivity in the UK...
Progress in Reducing Extreme Poverty Grinds to a Halt
This World Bank clip looks at how the events of the last three years - coronavirus and the war in Ukraine has stopped global poverty reduction, and actually pushed over 70 million people into poverty.
The Circular Economy - Roads Can Be Recycled Forever, Why Don't More Cities Do It?
This Business Insider video clip suggests that asphalt is endlessly recyclable: however, regulations often limit the extent to which it can be recycled, with many having a 30% limit.
Brexit: How leaving the EU hit the UK
The Financial Times has published a new video on the economic consequences of Brexit for the UK economy, and it is safe to say that the overall conclusion is that the hard form of Brexit that came...
NHS investment boosts economic growth
A new report from health consultancy Carnall Farrar claims that every £1 invested in the NHS translates into an overall economic return of £4 in the local area. This is a good example to add to...
Exploring the gap in regional household disposable income
I suspect many Economics teachers have been using the concept of disposable income with great frequency in recent weeks. Most forecasts predict that in 2022-2023, there will be a significant fall...
Crucial days ahead for financial stability in the UK economy
The Bank of England is sending some serious messages to the financial markets - and pension funds in particular - that they see significant risks to the financial stability of the UK economy.
Some rather depressing research from Oxfam reveals that budget analysis shows that post-Covid health spending has fallen in around a half of the poorest countries and that welfare spending and...
Carbon offset market comes under scrutiny
This FT video looks at the carbon offset market - suggesting that the voluntary carbon offset market isn't working as it should, with the impact of carbon removal projects minimal and avoidance...