Sunday, October 31, 2010

Unit 2: tutor2u presentation on unemployment

http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/presentations/a2economics/macro/UnemploymentUK/default.html unemployment

Unit 2: tutor2u presentation on measuring inflation

http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/presentations/a2economics/macro/InflationMeasurement/default.html inflation

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Unit 2: How inflation is measured in the USA

Thanks to tutor2u for pointing out this graphic showing the weights of the different sections of the US CPI index

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/05/03/business/20080403_SPENDING_GRAPHIC.html

Monday, October 25, 2010

Unit 2: Supply side policies announced by government

Sky news reports (with video) the launch of centres to link universities to industry

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Technology/David-Cameron-Announces-200m-Hi-Tech-Hub-Network-Advanced-Manufacturing-Research-Centre-Rotherham/Article/201010415772325?f=rss

This BBC clip shows the announcement of a national infrastructure plan

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11619093

a) In what way are these supply side policies?
b) Using an AD/AS diagram, discuss the likely effect of these policies on the UK economy

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Unit 1: Negative externalities from youth alcohol consumption

A nice clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11611522 video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11605549 article

a) Discuss how successful restrictions on the consumption of alcohol are in reducing the negative externalities associated with its consumption

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Unit 1: Spains tough anti-tobacco laws

This BBC clip reports that Spain is set to restrict smoking

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11593698

a) Explain, using economic terms, why Spain is enforcing these restrictions
b) Explain using a diagram, how the restrictions should reduce the market failure
c) Discuss the extent to which the policy is likely to succeed

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Monday, October 18, 2010

Unit 1: Increasing demand for Harris Tweed

Strange as it may seeem, Sky reports increasing demand for Harris Tweed

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Doctor-Whos-Matt-Smith-Credited-With-Making-Tweed-Cool-As-Harris-Tweed-Collaborates-With-Topman/Article/201010315760483?f=rss

a) Using a diagram, explain the causes and consequences of this increased demand for Harris Tweed

Friday, October 15, 2010

Unit 1: The impact of subsidies on the quantity demanded

A post from the BBC which clearly shows the impact of subsidies on the quantity demanded

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11549448

a) Using a S&D diagram, explain how the withdrawl of the subsidy (ie the scrappage scheme) has effected the market

Unit 2: The output gap

Thanks to tutor2u for posting this link to the Washington post; a great graphic to explain the output gap

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/business/the-output-gap/index.html

Unit 1: £100,000 for a bottle of whisky!!!!!!!

From the Guardian comes this tale of an astranomical price for a bottle ow whisky

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/oct/14/whyte-mackay-malt-record-price

a) Usins a S&D diagram, explain why the price of this whisky is so high

Saturday, October 09, 2010

Unit 1: Negative externalities: Hungary's toxic mud

These BBC clips shows the effect ot the breaching of a toxic sludge resevoir

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11482313
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11472785

a) Explain the negative externalities associated with this story