Unit 1: Payday loans: A demerit good?

It appears some people think so as councils move to limit advertising of these loans and access to payday loan sites from council computers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23663590#

Unit 2: GDP explained

Thanks to the BBC for this

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22277954

Unit 2: Inflation explained

Thanks to the BBC for this summary

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12196322

Unit 1: How the weather effects the supply of various crops

Nice clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23633811#

Unit 1: Externalities and China

Thanks to tutor2u for this update summary

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-1-micro-externalities-air-pollution-and-life-expectancy-in-china?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:06:12:59Z

Unit 2: Worsening Greek unemployment figures

Is there no end to the woes the Greek people are suffering?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23620444#

Unit 2: YTA training: A supply side policy

Thanks to the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23611570#

a) Why is this an example of a supply side policy?
b) To what extent do you think such training schemes are likely to help the government meet its macroeconomic objectives for the economy?

Unit 1: The effect of GM crops on an agricultural PPC

An interesting article from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/gm-foods-will-be-vital-in-feeding-the-future-world

a) Assuming the argument and figures to be correct (and there are strong opposition arguments), draw a PPC diagram to show the effect on output of introducing these GM crops. Label one axis "GM crops" and the other axis "traditional crops"
b) Explain why you have drawn the change as you have

Unit 2: Australia cuts interest rates

Nice post from the BBC explaining the thinking behind the cut in Australia's interest rates

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23584374#

Unit 2: Monetary policy and forward guidance

Great clips from the BBC explaining how this forward guidance on interest rates should boost the economy

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23598143#
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23608721#

The question is, will it? Why might it not?

....and more from Sky

http://news.sky.com/story/1125586/borrowers-boost-interest-rates-tied-to-jobs

.......and this great summary from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/uk-economy-carney-provides-forward-guidance-on-interest-rates

...and these explanations from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23145755
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23599464#
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23588958

Unit 2: Rising consumer confidence in the UK

....reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23565711#

Unit 1: Sun beds; an example of a market with information failure?

Nice clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23513739#

a) Is more regulation required?
b) What other approaches to reducing the market failure could be used?

Unit 2: Latest UK macro data

Thanks to tutor2u for this slideshow jam packed with up to date data

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/developments-in-the-uk-economy3

Unit 1: How much of the cigarette price is tax?

Some great data from the Guardian showing the $ cost per pack across various countries and the % of that price that is tax

http://www.theguardian.com/society/datablog/2013/aug/01/australia-cigarettes-expensive-tax

This analysis shows prices relative to incomes as it shows how many minutes the average worker has to  work to buy a packet of cigarettes

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/price-pack-of-cigarettes-around-the-world-2012-10

Unit 1: Negative externalities from a new Alaskan copper mine

Great clip from the BBC raising many, many issues

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-23496724#

.....and more on the salmon industry in Bristol Bay

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23496608#

Unit 1: The price of coffee

Thanks to tutor2u for this post on supply side reasons why the price of coffee beans is falling, including an FT video

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-1-micro-coffee-prices-and-profits-fall-for-growers?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:09:06:36Z

So, why isn't the price of a cup of coffee on the high street falling?

Unit 2: UK GDP data and analysis

From the Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2009/nov/25/gdp-uk-1948-growth-economy

Unit 1: The falling cost of car insurance

....is due to less legal claims for whiplash, apparently

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23475415#

a) Using a S&D diagram, explain why the price of car insurance has decreased

Unit 1: The opportunity cost of the Meningitis B vaccine

The rejection of the meningitis B vaccine  for the UK highlights many basic issues in economics, scarce resources, unlimited wants, choices, opportunity cost, the validity of data.........

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23437251# video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23422973# article

Unit 1: How much does the weather effects the supply of English wine?

A lot, according to this Ch4 video

http://www.channel4.com/news/english-wine-producers-celebrate-the-summer-weather-video

Unit 2: UK growth in GDP

Is this the start of a recovery?

Interesting video from Ch4 with a great graph at around 4.25 showing how different sectors of the economy have done since the downturn in 2008

http://www.channel4.com/news/uk-economy-gdp-george-osborne-sustained-growth

and the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23446043#

UNit 2: The effect of a depreciating currency on exports

Very positive appears to be the case in Japan, reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23429558

Unit 1: Actions to reduce the negative externalities from excessive alcohol consumption

For women born in the 70's the private costs appear to be high

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23371340#

a) Evaluate the alternative measures government could take to reduce the death rate in this age group

Un it 1: What will the level of demand be for a hydrogen fuelled car?

Hyundai intend to launch one in 2015 according to the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23351291#

a) Using demand theory, explain what will determine the level of demand for these hydrogen fuelled cars

Unit 2: A mixed picture re UK unemployment

Overall, the UK number is down

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23346187#

...but in Scotland it's rising

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-23348119#

...and long term unemployment is at its highest rate since 1996

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23340761#

Unit 1: Rubbish on the beach: Negative externalities

Depressing behaviour leading to negative externalities

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23325495#

a) What could the government do to reduce the negative externalities?

Unit 2: The benefits cap: A supply side policy

Details from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23311578# video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23306092 article

...but how successful will it be? Some really good evaluation in the report

Unit 2: Smog eating pavements

....which appear to have positive externalities associated with them

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23324177#

Unit 2: China's growth slowing....

.....according to the latest data

http://news.sky.com/story/1115876/china-growth-slows-in-the-second-quarter

a) But why? Explain using the AD formula

Unit 2: THe benefit cap: A supply side policy?

Evaluate how successful this policy is likely to be in meeting the governments objectives

http://news.sky.com/story/1115764/welfare-cap-of-500-a-week-comes-into-force

Unit 1: Demerit goods: The government drops plans for a minimum unit alcolol pricing scheme

Thanks to the BBC for this summary

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23283821
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23289009

Unit 2: If you thought Greece's unemployment couldn't get any worse...

....you'd be wrong: The latest data shows U at 27.4% and this video shows one of the consequences; the exodus of the young and skilled

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23266763#

Unit 2: Economic growth in the EU: Data

Thanks to economics help for this

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/7684/economics/eu-economic-growth-stats/

Unit 1: Demerit goods: The government steps back from further regulation of the tobacco industry

Thanks to Sky news

http://news.sky.com/story/1114718/plans-for-plain-cigarette-packs-shelved

and the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23289009
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23281804

Unit 1: Falling demand for PC's

....due to better substitutes becoming available. A nice summary from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-1-fall-in-sales-of-pcs-due-to-rise-in-demand-of-substitute-goods

Unit 1: Negative externalities in China

Thanks to tutor2u for this post covering air pollution and pork production

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-1-micro-externalities-air-pollution-and-life-expectancy-in-china?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:06:13:37Z

and this from the BBC on air pollution

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-23247803#

Unit 1: The supply of coffee in China

Thanks to tutor2u for finding this FT video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUiLK7ubjKI#at=52

Unit 1: Extracting iron ore

Great short clip from the BBC showing the fop in action

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23143585#

Unit 1: Legislation in Wales to supply more organs

As ever, Wales leads the world to increase the supply of donor organs......an example of merit goods?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23141305#

Unit 2: Hyperinflation explained

Thanks to tutor2u for finding this

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-2-macro-hyperinflation-explained?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:09:15:04Z

Unit 2: Where the cuts in government spending will fall

Thanks to the Guardian for these graphics

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/interactive/2013/jun/26/spending-review-round-2013-interactive

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2013/jun/26/spending-review-key-charts

and this BBC article

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23053693

or this BBC video round-up

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23065671#

Unit 2: Changes in Government spending over time

Some good graphs in this BBC article

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22998329

.....and this one shows where the cuts have fallen so far

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23029683#

Unit 1: The rising demand for guns in the USA

How depressing!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23043539#

Unit 1: Externalities from wind turbines

This Sky report indicates negative externalities arising from wind turbines

http://news.sky.com/story/1107120/wind-farm-plan-in-bristol-channel-catastrophic

...but it fails to mention the positive externalities: Any idea what they are?

Unit 2: Supply side policy in Nigeria

From Aljazeera

http://bcove.me/ul7s3n33

Unit 1: China's new carbon trading sceme

Details from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22932816# and
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22931899#
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/22947197# video

Unit 2: The work programme; a supply side policy

Will it work? This report suggests the outlook isn't too good

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22982321#

Unit 2: Rising consumption to increase China's economic growth?

So it would seem from this BBC clip

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22961571#

Unit 1: Negative externalities suffered by Singapore

An unexpected story from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22961572# 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22997880#

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22998592#

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22999205#

Unit 1: Less information failuure in the processed food market?

Maybe, if this new packaging labelling system takes off

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22964581  video

http://news.sky.com/story/1105440/major-uk-supermarkets-launch-new-food-labels

Unit 1: Workers leaving Saudi Arabia: Decreasing potential output

Nice story from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22903455#

Unit 2: Low taxes: a supply side policy to attract inward investment

The Irish story

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/22900671#

Unit 2: Why is the rupee depreciating?

Nice clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22883816#

Unit 2: Falling real disposable incomes in the UK

Great reports from Ch4 and BBC on the link between unemployment and falling real wages

http://www.channel4.com/news/wages-institute-for-fiscal-studies-recession-downturn

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22880983#

Unit 2: Investment in the UK

Great example of private sector infrastructure investment in the London Gateway super port (thanks to tutor2u for pointing out this FT video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mZ7NkJMWLtg#at=113

Unit 2: Government infrastructure spending in China

A huge desalination plant is an example of capital spending by Government

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22851529#

Unit 2: Low taxation; a supply side policy in Singapore

Interesting clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22850740#

Unit 1: Negative externalities from mining in India

As ever, the poor get shafted

http://bcove.me/mi6b1fxx

Unit 2: Tariffs and retaliation: China v EU trade war?

The EU tariffs on Chinese solar panels have provoked a retaliatory response

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22456231 solar panels

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22793186 wine

background from

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22780266

Unit 1: Information failure in the painkiller market

Interesting report from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22713043#

Unit 1: The smoking ban in public places spreads to Russia

...according to the BBC, but will it work

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22726284#

Unit 2: Unemployment and youth unemployment data for the EU

...is bleak

http://www.channel4.com/news/youth-unemployment-spikes-across-Europe


...as is the effect on young Greeks

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22726231#

and young Irish

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22698740#

Unit 1: The supply curve for sugar

Great clip from the BBC explaining how Cuban sugar mills are being restarted as the world price of sugar has risen

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22620566#

Unit 1: Productive efficiency in the container shipping market

Container ships just seem to get bigger and bigger!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22568123#

Unit 1: Should the age for buying alcohol be increased to 21?

A nice post from economicshelp with good evaluation and alternative policy

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/36/society/legal-drinking-age/

Unit 1: The start of a market economy in Cuba?

The changes announced by the Cuban government begin to take effect, as seen in this clip from Aljazeera

http://bcove.me/vgmouy97

Unit 2: The Scottish Borders railway line: Government (infrastructure) spending with supply side effects

A nice clip from the BBC with lots of economic ideas tied up in it

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-22510460#

Unit 2: Tax relief for movie production

A successful supply side policy according to this post from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/positive-indicators-for-the-uk-economy-may-the-force-be-with-us

Unit 2: Macroeconomic data update

.....from tutor2u

http://www.slideshare.net/tutor2u/a2-as-revision-uk-economy

Unit 1: Firm fines £50,000 for water pollution

One of the issues with regulation is enforcement; any fine for breaking the law has to be large enough to discourage others from breaking the law......like this one

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-22477788

Unit 1: Does graffiti lead to positive or negative externalities?

Interesting video from Aljazeera

http://bcove.me/u0hhbv7n

Unit 2: Protectionism from the EU: Tariffs on Chinese solar panels

An interesting story from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22456231 video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22445640# article

Unit 2: Australia cuts interest rates

Interesting BBC article explaining why Australia's central bank has cut interest rates

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22430652#

Unit 2: Policies to reduce unemployment

Thanks to tutor2u for this slideshare presentation

http://www.slideshare.net/tutor2u/policies-to-reduce-unemployment

Unit 2: Why a cut in interest rates may not stimulate investment by firms

Great evaluation from this BBC clip

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22378705#

Unit 2: The continuing decline of the Spanish economy

....as reported by the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22349004#

Unit 1: EU intervention in the pesticide market because of negative externality effects on bees

But, not everyone agrees with the restrictions: A case of information failure in the market?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22338755# video
http://news.sky.com/story/1084470/bees-european-union-forces-pesticides-ban article

Unit 2: What is GDP?

Nice, simple explanation from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22290374

Unit 1: Scotland bans cigarette displays

....and so comes in to line with the rest of the Uk according to this BBC clip. It also highlights the problem of introducing laws and regulations, namely that their has to be sufficien enforcement

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-22328177#

Unit 2: Fantastic data links

....from economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/7401/economics/tips-on-using-ons-data/

Unit 2: Inflation revision

A post with data and links to a lot more from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-2-macro-inflation-april-2013-update?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:13:35:03Z

Units 1 & 2: Key terms glossaries

...from tutor2u, BUT MY STUDENTS SHOULD BE WARY OF USING THEM AS THEY MAY NOT BE WHAT OCR REQUIRE!!!!!!

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/as-and-a2-key-term-glossaries

Unit 1: Fake bomb detectors: Information failure in markets

Thanks to tutor2u for this summary of the story

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-1-micro-information-failure-fraudulent-selling?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:11:15:37Z

Unit 2: The costs of 27% unemployment in Spain

As reported by the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21323642

and Aljazeera

http://bcove.me/k1hudxwk

Unit 2: UK Economy update

...courtesy of tutor2u

http://www.slideshare.net/tutor2u/a2-as-revision-uk-economy

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/files/State_of_the_UK_Economy_April_2013.pdf

Unit 2: Rising unemployment and constant inflation

...according to the BBC and the latest data, but the picture isn't that clear

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22191013# unemployment
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22176211# inflation

Unit 1:Problems with the EU tradable permits scheme

Thanks to tutor2u for this summary of the current problems with the scheme

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-1-micro-carbon-trading-scheme-in-crisis?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:17:00:30Z

and this

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-1-micro-carbon-trading-scheme-in-crisis?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:17:00:03Z

...and this video clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22218733#

Unit 1: Negative externalities from illegal gold mining in Nigeria

I've highlighted this problem in an earlier post from Aljazeera. Unfortunately, it appears that things have got no better since then, according to the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22128957#

Unit 1: Shale gas developments in China

Nice clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22076969#

a) What positive and negative externalities would be associtaed with exploiting these shale gas reserves?

Unit 2: Investment: Revision

Thanks to tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-2-macro-investment-in-uk-economy-remains-low

Unit 1: Evaluating government intervention in the alcohol market

A post with good links from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-1-micro-evaluating-government-intervention-alcohol-pricing?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:19:06:54Z

Unit 2: Monetary policy/Interest rates: Revision

Thanks to tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-2-macro-revision-on-interest-rates#extended

Unit 1: Rising food prices are on the way

...aacording to Sky news

http://news.sky.com/story/1074634/food-prices-set-to-soar-after-big-freeze

a) Using S&D diagrams, explain why food prices are set to rise

Unit 1: Do some pesticides have negative externalities associated with their use?

The evidence seems to show that they may be linked to the decline of bees in Britain

http://bcove.me/km5vp157 Aljazeera
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22037200 BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22042370 BBC


a) Should the government act in the pesticide market? If so, how?

Unit 1 and Unit 2: Revision quizzes

...from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/as-a2-ib-economics-revision-quizzes-master-listing?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:08:57:23Z

Unit 2: Inflation data

...from tutor2u. Good chart on a link near the bottom

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-2-macro-inflation-april-2013-update

Unit 2: How can India reduce it's trade deficit?

This BBC clip outlines the problem

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22000681#

Unit 2: EU unemployment data and articles

....courtesy of tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-4-macro-unemployment-in-europe-march-2013-update

and economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/1247/economics/european-unemployment/

and the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22000996#

Unit 2: Welfare changes April 2013

Thanks to tutor2u for this summary

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4SW-aHq0BqTQi1NTkFQS1pWRlE/edit?usp=sharing

and this BBC video

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21992422#

Unit 2: Aggregate Supply: Revision

Thanks to tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-2-macro-revise-and-test-aggregate-supply