Unit 2: The effects of an appreciation of a currency

Wonderful summary from economicshelp, including evaluation

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/10050/economics/effects-appreciation/

Unit 1: Would you risk the potential negative externalities from dumping dredged sand near the Great Barrier Reef?

Aljazeera reports that the Australian government appears toi be willing to do so

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZfeyT3H3vc

Unit 2: Greek unemployment reaches an all time high

.....according to the BBC. Note also the catastrophic youth rate; what impact this have on the future of the Greek economy?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26171213#

Unit 2: Balance of payments

Some good data in this economicshelp post

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/185/economics/balance-of-payments-disequilibrium/

Unit 1: The price of almonds

Thanks to tutor2u for this BBC article

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26118225

Unit 2: A more accurate measurement of GDP?

Whichever of the 3 measurement approaches is used, the black economy's output is excluded. Now that could change according to this tutor2u post

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/drugs-and-prostitution-to-be-included-in-gdp?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:21:39:37Z

Unit 2: How equally spread are the new jobs/growth in the UK

Not very, according to this Ch4 video/article

http://www.channel4.com/news/london-north-south-divide-cities

Unit 2: The size of Spain's black economy

Frightening, according to this Guardian article

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/jan/30/spain-black-economy-gdp-growth

Unit 2: Investment: The Swansea Bay lagoon

A huge potential project reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-26087779#

Unit 1: Charges on platic bags

What impact does it have? The BBC reports

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26064368#

Unit 2: The cost of economic growth in India: Ill health from air pollution

Looks pretty bad reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-26089336#

Unit 1: Rising demand for plastic surgery in the UK

A clip from the BBC explains why

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26013348#

Unit 1: Enforcing regulations: Problems in the tattoo industry

An informative clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26013128#

Unit 1: Increasing demand for butter

....reports Sky

http://news.sky.com/story/1204561/demand-for-real-butter-is-spreading

Unit 2: How "good" is the recent UK economic growth?

One of the evaluative points when discussing this question would be "how have the gains from growth been distributed?"
This post from Ch4 is illuminating

http://www.channel4.com/news/london-north-south-divide-cities

..and this compares London against Sheffield

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25921563#

Unit 2 : Macro data: Jan 2014

There is a link in this tutor2u post to updated charts

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/uk-economic-recovery-gathers-momentum?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:10:24:25Z

Unit 2: GDP grows at its fatest rate since the recession

....reports Sky

http://news.sky.com/story/1202205/economy-grows-at-fastest-rate-since-crash

and in the USA as well

http://news.sky.com/story/1203775/us-growth-hits-3-2-percent-in-last-quarter-of-2013

Why has Japan got a trade deficit?

Great clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25910973#

Unit 1: The first controls on the e-cigarette market

Under 18's are to be banned from buying them reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25901267# video

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25900542# article

Unit 2: Jan 2014: Falling unemployment

Good news from the latest data

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25842807#

Unit 1: Should government intervene in the market?

You would think so if there are negative externalities like.....death!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25839297#

Unit 2: Unemployment data charts

Thanks to tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/6-charts-on-uk-unemployment-and-the-labour-market

Unit 2: A minimum wage history

....from the Guardian. Particularly interesting is the graph showing the change in the minimum wage adjusted for inflation

http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2013/oct/01/uk-minimum-wage-history-in-numbers

Unit 2: Rising and falling prices within the CPI

This is from the states, but clearly shows how the CPI measures AVERAGE price changes

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2014/01/14/262500020/expensive-bacon-cheap-tvs-and-other-price-trends-from-2013?ft=1&f=93559255

Unit 1: How to tackle the problem of obesity

Interesting clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25720618#

Unit 1: The effect of anti smoking legislation/taxation on US smoking over 50 years

Great clip showing how effective government intervention can be in reducing market failure

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1cSywnzmpo

Unit2: Inequity in income and wealth in the USA

Great data in this clip from Aljazeera

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2uefdapfUM

Unit 2: European macro data: Eurostat link

http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/eurostat/home/

Unit 2: Wealth distribution in Scotland

An amazing statistic from BBC Scotland

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25650876#

Unit 1: Information failure: Tanning injections

Is this a market which suffers from market failure and so requires greater government intervention?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-25560426#

Unit 1: Information failure: Added sugar in food

Interesting clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25673751#

Unit 2: Macro date Jan 2014

Thanks to economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/9692/economics/uk-economy-2014/

Unit 2: Evaluation of unemployment: By ethnicirty

Fantastic interactive resource from the Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2014/jan/08/rising-unemployment-for-uk-ethnic-minorities-race-whos-affected

Unit 2: Pollution in China: A cost of economic growth

Thanks to Aljazeera for this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLmL1vhOZss

and this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rog0Kk8DjDw

.....and the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-25643193#

Unit 1 Budget deficits; the current position

Nice clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25632131#

Unit 2: The multiplier effect of Australian mining

As explained in this Aljazeera video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRlHJqS5Bmw

Unit 2: The costs of economic growth: Obesity

As reported by Aljazeera

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YpFk9nwGAk

Unit 1: Capturing cow's burps and the resulting positive externalities

Not your usual story, but if this process is adopted widely, there won't only be private benefits to the farmers (ie nearly free energy), but also a positive externality as the rest of society will benefit from lower global warming

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25264045#

Unit 1: Information failure: How much sugar in a bottle of coke?

Do you know how may calories you consume when you drink a Coke? This Newsnight clip may be illuminating if you have no idea

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugFock3p2xE

Unit 1: Legal highs: The difficulty of enforcing legislation/regulation

The problem is shown clearly by Aljazeera

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1659202292001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAmtVJIFk~,TVGOQ5ZTwJbsT0Mq3k9H8GCa4jV3vL4M&bctid=3008780245001

Unit 1: Mining: A capital intensive industry

Nice clip from Aljazeera

http://bcove.me/7crh93gv

Unit 2: Happy Birthday GDP

....reports this BBC video

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25587089#

Unit 1: Ireland has more "land" as they find gold!

....reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25558554#

Unit 1: New year, new laws/regulations

The New Year has seen a raft of new legislation/regulation around the world as reported in the Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/law/2013/dec/31/new-year-new-rules-changes-2014

Look at the laws introduced in each country and ask yourself
a) Is there a market failure this law is setting out to correct?
b) If so, evaluate the likely success of the legislation in reducing the market failure

Unit 2: The cost of youth unemployment

Sky news has this depressing report from the Prince's Trust

http://news.sky.com/story/1189394/jobless-youngsters-have-nothing-to-live-for

...and the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25575182#

Unit 1: New regulations re food waste recycling in Scotland

....reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25566307#

Unit 1: Allocative efficiency in music distribution

More changes in the way music is produced, reports sky

http://news.sky.com/story/1189076/online-music-streaming-doubles-in-uk-in-2013

Unit 2: The Tour de France in the UK and the resulting multiplier effect

Who knows how large it will be, but Sky news reports the nice round figure of £100m.....ie they have just picked a random number!

http://news.sky.com/story/1189274/tour-de-france-lending-boost-for-Yorkshire

More from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23260441
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/21888502

Unit 1: Illegal rubbish dumps in Greece

Laws may be easy to pass, but enforcement can prove a problem as this clip from the BBC shows

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25546443#

Unit 1: More information from Government on the possible health implications of smoking

...reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25540658#

Unit 2: The effect of a rising £

Nicely summarised in this Sky News story

http://news.sky.com/story/1187558/pound-hits-two-year-high-against-dollar

Unit 1: Action to prevent market failure with payday loans?

That's the proposal to ban payday loan ads from children's TV

http://news.sky.com/story/1185126/ban-payday-loan-ads-on-kids-tv-mps-say

Unit 2: The Sirius scheme: A supply side policy

A small scale supply side policy reported by sky

http://news.sky.com/story/1182890/young-entrepreneurs-set-up-shop-in-Britain

and a BBC audio on the same story

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25397373#

Unit 2: Why is saving high and consumtion low in China?

A nice clip with the answers from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25309669#

Unit 1: Should e-cigarettes be more closely regulated?

Some believe they should

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-25354050#

UNit 2: Should low inflation be the primary macro objective?

A nice evaluative post from economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/9591/unemployment/low-inflation-objective/

Unit 2: What are the effects of a decrease in interest rates?

A nice evaluative post from economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/3417/interest-rates/effect-of-lower-interest-rates/

Unit 2: Income and spending patterns in the UK

Great data from the ONS via a Guardian article, handy when looking at how weights in CPI/RPI are allocated

http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2013/dec/11/families-spend-489-each-week-on-what

and this interactive one showing changes over time, including, clearly, the effects of the recession

http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/interactive/2013/dec/11/family-spending-interactive-how-has-it-changed

Unit 1: Information failure in the fruit and veg market

An amazing story from Tesco. When I read it, I wondered if it was April Fools day!

http://news.sky.com/story/1180717/tesco-blames-customers-for-fruit-and-veg-waste

Unit 1: Private and external costs of alcohol

Sobering (no pun  intended) report from BBC Scotland

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25303388#

Unit 2: Shanghai's pollution; a cost of economic growth

Great clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-25288170#

It's a pity such examples are now so common

Unit 1: Allocative efficiency: Bye-bye Blockbuster

Changing consumer methods of watching films sees the end of Blockbuster on the High Street

http://news.sky.com/story/1177984/blockbuster-to-shut-with-1200-job-losses

Unit 1: The rising price of wool

Supply and demand in action in this BBC clip

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-25190538#

Unit 2: Inflation; nice revision summary

.....from economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/2656/inflation/different-types-of-inflation/

Unit 2: Comparative UK macro data

Thanks to Sky's Ed Conway for this comparative tool

http://news.sky.com/story/1177750/conways-console-the-recovery-where-you-live

Unit 1: Actions to reduce information failure regarding smoking

A sobering and informative clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25145548#

Unit 1: Glossary

Thanks to tutor2u for this, but for my students, DONT TREAT THIS AS GOSPEL as it's not OCR specific

https://www.slideshare.net/tutor2u/unit-1-economics-markets-revision-glossary

Unit 1: Negative externalities from a US sauce factory

....reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-25126194#

Unit 1: Food outlets forced to display hygiene ratings in Wales

A nice post from BBC Wales showing an attempt to reduce information failure in the fast food/café market

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-25139949#

Unit 1: Packaging restrictions coming to UK cigarettes?

Very likely, it now seems, says Sky news

http://news.sky.com/story/1174669/david-cameron-u-turn-over-cigarette-packaging

and the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25141367

....and this BBC audio reports the effect of similar packaging changes in Australia

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25135553#

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25126673# video

Unit 1: Tinned fish, an inferior good?

Quite possibly, according to this BBC clip

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25098813#

Unit 1: Externalities associated with energy production

.....both positive and negative examples in this great BBC report

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25051351#

Unit 1: How much caffine do you consume? A case of information failure?

I've no idea, you decide having looked at this Guardian article

http://www.theguardian.com/news/2013/nov/27/caffeine-compared-coke-coffee-aspirin-chocolate-tea

Unit 2: Multiplier revision powerpoint

Thanks to tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-2-macro-the-multiplier-process-and-multiplier-effect

Unit 1: Subsidies revision pwerpoint

With thanks to tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-1-micro-producer-and-consumer-subsidies?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:18:15:04Z

Unit 1: Controling the price of demerit goods: Payday loans

Are payday loans a demerit good? There is almost certainly information failure in the market and the government now intends to legislate says Sky

http://news.sky.com/story/1173188/payday-loans-to-be-capped-by-government

Unit 1: Extended warrenties; an example of information failure?

Which thinks so, says the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25065073#

Unit 1: Negative externalities from a new proposed gold mine in Romania

Another great story from Aljazeera

http://bcove.me/ol6sykn8

Unit 1: Plastic bags in New Delhi

A great clip from Aljazeera illustrating not just the normal negative externalities associated with rubbish, but also a positive externality. Great stuff!

http://bcove.me/qnq61zpd

Unit 1: A disturbing example of negative externalities from China

Thanks to Aljazeera

http://bcove.me/wwnewv3v

Unit 1: Are supermarket customers suffering information failure?

Yes, reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24998958#

Unit 1: A law is fine, but how is it enforced?

Standard theory suggests market failure can be reduced by regulation/legislation, but it has to be enforced

This BBC clip appears to show that isn't always the case and so breaking the law becomes less of an issue......and the negative externality remains!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25030730#

Unit 1: NY introduces minimum age and minimum prices for cigarettes

....reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25012633#

a) To what extent are these measures likely to reduce the market failure caused by cigarettes?

Unit 1: The demise of Tie Rack: Allocative efficiency

As anyone who knows me will testify, I've never bothered the sales staff in Tie Rack. Now it appears, others are following my approach and not buying ties as Sky reports

http://news.sky.com/story/1170762/jobs-at-risk-as-tie-rack-exits-high-streets

a) How does this closure illustrate the idea of allocative efficiency

Unit 1: Mobiles in cars; a demerit good?

This BBC clip argues that is the case

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24983292#

Unit 2: Fiscal Policy: Revision pwerpoint

Thanks to tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-2-macro-fiscal-policy-revision-presentation

Unit 1: Is breastfeeding a merit good?

It could well be, according to the government who are starting a trial to give vouchers (ie a subsidy) to mothers who breastfeed. This BBC video explains all

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24908670#

a) What are the 2 conditions needed for a merit good?
b) Does breastfeeding meet these criteria
a) Evaluate the likely success of this project

Unit 1: Allocative efficiency and the demise of Blockbuster

Sky reports

http://news.sky.com/story/1167901/jobless-rate-at-three-year-low-of-7-6-percent

a) In what way does the disappearance of Blockbuster from high streets show allocative efficiency in the economy?

Unit 1: Shine on you crazy diamond

Classis S&D story in the auction house

http://news.sky.com/story/1167901/jobless-rate-at-three-year-low-of-7-6-percent

Unit 2: November 2013: Inproved unemployment figures

Report from Sky news

http://news.sky.com/story/1167901/jobless-rate-at-three-year-low-of-7-6-percent

and UK by region map from the Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/interactive/2013/nov/13/uk-unemployment-mapped-adult-youth

Unit 1: Payday loans; a demerit good?

Ed Milliband appears to think so as he want regulations introduced to restrict when they can be shown, says Sky

http://news.sky.com/story/1166417/miliband-slams-payday-lenders-kids-ads

a) Why might payday loans be characterised as a demerit good?
b) To what extent would the proposal reduce the market failure?
c) What other actions could the government take? Would they be more successful?

Unit 2: ECB cuts interest rates

A really informative article from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24851483#

a) Why has the ECB cut the rate? Explain your answer in terms of the 4 macro-economic objectives
b) Evaluate the likely success of this policy move

Unit 1: US Government bans transfats

Thanks to tutor2u for this post

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-1-micro-us-food-authorities-take-step-to-ban-transfats

a) What is the market failure this intervention is meant to correct?
b) Evaluate the likely success of the government action in correcting the market failure
c) Outline one other action the US government could have taken instead of the legislation and compare the likely success of the 2 policies

Unit 1: Why has demand for blockbusters products collapsed

This article from Sky explains

http://news.sky.com/story/1165304/blockbuster-to-close-remaining-us-shops

a) Using the theory of demand, explain the demise of Blockbusters, both in the US and the UK

Unit 1: What explains the rising demand for new cars?

An interesting article from Sky news

http://news.sky.com/story/1164674/new-car-sales-fuel-efficiency-boosts-demand

a) Given we are experiencing little or no growth in real incomes, which of the determinants of demand explains the increasing demand for new cars?

Unit 1: Carbon capture: A market that requires more government intervention?

Given the positive externalities from carbon capture, what policies could the government use to accelerate its adoption?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-24804367#

Unit 2: The Welfare to Work scheme in Wales

Not a very successful supply side policy according to this BBC clip

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-24813127#

Unit 2: The effect of a changing exchange rate

Nice post from economicshelp. especially the evaluation ideas at the end of the post

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/9328/business/effect-exchange-rate-business/

Unit 1: Negative externalities from sand mining in India

A really good example of negative externalities from Al Jazeera

http://bcove.me/chpfib65

Unit 1: Cuba; a step back to central planning?

Interesting development in Cuba that seems to buck the recent trend reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-24793109#

...and Aljazeera

http://bcove.me/q578hx7h