Unit 1: The rise in demand for Harris tweed

Sky reports the resurgence in demand for Harris tweed

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Harris-Tweed-Sales-Soar-Despite-Downturn-And-Pressure-On-Consumer-Spending/Article/201012315863849?f=rss

a) Using economic theory, explain why demand for harris tweed has risen

Unit 1: How do you increase demand for onions in Japan?

....well this is how they do it

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-12037155

Unit 2: Latest UK macroeconomic data

Thanks to tutor2u for this

http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/presentations/ukecondec10/player.html

Unit 1: Tradable permit carbon trading scheme set up in California

From the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12016137

a) Discuss how successful you think this scheme will be in educing CO2 emissions in California

Unit 2: Inflation: EU resource

Thanks to turo2u for pointing out this great resource on most aspects of inflation

http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/focuson/inflation/index_en.htm

Unit 1: The sharp rise in the price of heating oil

A really good clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12009112

a) Using a S&D diagram, explain why the price of heating oil has risen so rapidly
b) What do you think will happen to the price in 3 months time? Explain your answer

Unit 2: USA unemployment data

Latest figures

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11996435

a) Comment on the UK's unemployment problem in the light of these figures

Unit 2: December 2010: Rising unemployment hits 2.5 million

Latest unemployment data and commentary

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/The-Number-Of-People-Out-Of-Work-Rises-Above-25-Million-In-The-Three-Months-To-October/Article/201012315855647?f=rss Sky
http://www.channel4.com/news/unemployment-rises-to-2-5-million Ch4
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11998364 BBC

a) How equal are the effects of unemployment in the UK economy?

Unit 2: Inflation at 3.3%

A nice clip from the BBC showing why inflation has risen.....again

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11993210

a) Why is inflation only 3.3% if food prices are rising by 5% and alcohol by 10%?

Unit 1: Subsidies for electric cars

The BBC reports subsidies to buyers of electric cars

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11993882

a) Analyse the likely effect of the subsidy on the market
b) Comment on the assertion that this subsidy is likely to kick start the market for electric cars in the UK

Unit 1: BA increases long haul fares

.....reports sky

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/British-Airways-Blames-Higher-Oil-Price-For-10-Increase-In-Long-Haul-Fuel-Surcharge/Article/201012215854078?f=rss

a) Using a S&D diagram, why they have increased the price
b) Comment on the extent to which this will decrease demand for these flights

Unit 2: Rising inflation rate in China

As reported by the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11975628

a) What does the inflation rate measure?
b) What is the most likely cause of the rising Chinese inflation rate?
c) Why is it suggested that interest rates will rise?

Unit 1: Externalities associated with a new dam in Laos

An interesting clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11960537

a) What are the positive and negative externalities associted with the dam?

Unit 1: The rising price of petrol

Petrol hits an all time high claims the BBC and Sky

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11968437
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11957664
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Fuel-Costs-In-Britain-Hit-Record-Levels-With-Unleaded-Costing-An-Average-Of-12176p-A-Litre/Article/201012215851065?f=rss Sky

a) Using a S&D diagram, explain the cause of this price rise

Unit 1: Falling demand at HMV

HMV looks to be in long term decline

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/HMV-Confirms-Plunging-Sales-And-Wider-Pre-Tax-Losses-As-Christmas-Trading-Hit-By-Snow/Article/201012215850428?f=rss

a) Using demand theory, explain the reason for the short term fall in demand at HMV and the reasons for the longer term decline

Unit 1: Asprin; a merit good?

The latest news on the potential power of asprin from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11933781 video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11930988 article

a) To what extent does this this extract suggest asprin is a merit good?
b) If it is a merit good, how does the market fail?
c) What actions could the government take to reduce this market failure?
To what extent do you believe the government can reduce the market failure?

Unit 1: Allocative efficiency: The changing highstreet

A nice BBC clip

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11924207

and this data

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11915437

a) Explain how the clip and article shows the concept of allocative efficiency in action

Unit 1: Rising demand for heroin in the Punjab and the resulting negative externalities

A disturbing clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11920796

a) Using economics, explain the reason for the rising demand for heroin in the pujab
b) What negative externalities arise from this drug use?

Unit 2: Economic growth to slow in 2011?

An interesting clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11920882

a) Using the AD formula, explain why growth is expected to slow next year

Unit 2: Comparative unemployment figures

Latest comparative figures from the EU

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11872469

and the USA

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11913196

a) Given the figures, how much of a problem is the UK unemployment rate for the government?

Unit 1: Reducing negative externalities from ill health

Here's the new coalition plan

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11878873

a) Th what extent do you think the "nudge" strategy will reduce the cost to the NHS for alcohol and obesity (just under £7bn a year, he said)?

Unit 1: Increased excise duty on super strenght lager

The BBC reports that higher alcohol taxes are on the way on super strenght lager

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11879061

a) To what extent is this likely to reduce the negative externalities asociated with their consumption (Use a diagram in your answer)

Unit 2: The costs and benefits of economic growth

This link will take you to a page where there are 6 videos all following the transformation (or obliteration) of a Chinese village into a city....a huge, growing city. The pros and cons of economic growth are clear to see

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/world_news_america/9248873.stm

Unit 2: Economic growth in India

A good BBC clip

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11873344

a) Using the AD formula, explain the recent growth in India
b) To what extent do you believe such growth is likely to continue in the future

Unit 1: Recycling and associated positive and negative externalities

An interesting story form BBC Wales about a proposed waste recycling plant

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-11906046

a) Explain the positive and negative externalities that could result from this recycling plant

Unit 1: AS microeconomics and macroeconomics key terms tests

Useful self-test tools from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/quiz/asmicrorevbank/quiz.html micro
http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/quiz/asmacrorevbank/quiz.html macro

Unit 2: What is a recession?

Thanks to tutor2u for this witty Australian explanation of what a recession is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I4yBNkap78&feature=player_embedded

Unit 2: The unequal effect of unemployment: Rising long term youth unemployment

Sky news and the BBC report rising long term youth unemployment

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Unemployed-16-To-24-Year-Old-Numbers-Up-Fourfold-Since-Recession-Long-Term-Dole-Claimants-Surge/Article/201012115845007?f=rss

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11893117

The bBC reports how much harder the diabled are hit by unemployment

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11879198

a) To what extent should the government be worried by these figures?