Bryn's AS Economics Blog: 2015

For those who argue a financial disincentive isn't a good way to move the market towards a more allocatively efficient use of resources, this story from Sky will be a bit of a blow!
http://news.sky.com/story/1600465/plastic-bag-charge-cuts-use-at-tesco-by-78-percent

How taste and fashion effects demand: VW cars

Thanks to Sky news for these
http://news.sky.com/story/1599796/vw-car-sales-down-20-percent-after-diesel-scandal and
http://news.sky.com/story/1597948/volkswagen-us-sales-slump-by-25-percent-after-scandal

VW and government failure

Thanks to tutor2u for this
http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/vw-and-government-failure?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20tutor2u%20Economics%20updates&utm_content=Daily%20tutor2u%20Economics%20updates+CID_d26a0979b4a854102c229e64835ab716&utm_source=CampMonitor&utm_term=Blog++VW+and+government+failure

Foreign Direct Investment in the Global Economy

Thanks to tutor2u for this
http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/reference/foreign-direct-investment-in-the-global-economy?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily+tutor2u+Economics+updates&utm_content=Daily+tutor2u+Economics+updates+CID_3e0cd6f66a60727520a735e517a6c2f1&utm_source=CampMonitor&utm_term=Reference++Foreign+Direct+Investment+in+the+Global+Economy

Quantitative methods: Mean, median and mode calculations

Thanks to tutor2u for this
http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/climate-change-summit-a-chance-for-some-quantitative-methods?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20tutor2u%20Economics%20updates&utm_content=Daily%20tutor2u%20Economics%20updates+CID_887103429158a8f6681a5088f086b039&utm_source=CampMonitor&utm_term=Blog++Climate+Change+Summit+-+a+chance+for+some+Quantitative+Methods

The negative externalities associated with the cocaine trade

Fantastic video from the UK National Crime Agency
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh3yqg4jTu0

The ever spreading banana plant disease

Thanks to MSN for this
http://www.msn.com/en-gb/foodanddrink/foodnews/banana-production-threatened-across-globe-by-unstoppable-killer-fungus/ar-AAfY4xa?li=AA9SkIr&ocid=iehp

Using S&D diagrams, discuss the likely effect of this disease on banana prices

International Trade data in graphics

Thanks to tutor2u for this data
http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/international-trade-infographics?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily+tutor2u+Economics+updates&utm_content=Daily+tutor2u+Economics+updates+CID_059c3cb9b1b6e5bc00252bb27f6cfd10&utm_source=CampMonitor&utm_term=Blog++International+Trade+Infographics

Contestable Markets: Tyrrells Launches Advertising Campaign

Thanks to tutor2u for this
http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/contestable-markets-tyrrells-launches-advertising-campaign?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily+tutor2u+Economics+updates&utm_content=Daily+tutor2u+Economics+updates+CID_059c3cb9b1b6e5bc00252bb27f6cfd10&utm_source=CampMonitor&utm_term=Blog++Contestable+Markets+Tyrrells+Launches+Advertising+Campaign

Background on the UK and the European Union

Thanks to tutor2u for this
http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/reference/background-on-the-uk-and-the-european-union?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily+tutor2u+Economics+updates&utm_content=Daily+tutor2u+Economics+updates+CID_059c3cb9b1b6e5bc00252bb27f6cfd10&utm_source=CampMonitor&utm_term=Reference++Background+on+the+UK+and+the+European+Union
and this essay plan on a common tariff could be useful http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/reference/common-external-tariff-analysis-and-evaluation?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily+tutor2u+Economics+updates&utm_content=Daily+tutor2u+Economics+updates+CID_059c3cb9b1b6e5bc00252bb27f6cfd10&utm_source=CampMonitor&utm_term=Reference++Common+External+Tariff+-+Analysis+and+Evaluation

Productive Efficiency: How Amazon gets packages to you

hanks to tutor2u for this clip
http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/productive-efficiency-how-amazon-gets-packages-to-you?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20tutor2u%20Economics%20updates&utm_content=Daily%20tutor2u%20Economics%20updates+CID_277a97dbe27b43afb9574747116b8029&utm_source=CampMonitor&utm_term=Blog%20%20Productive%20Efficiency%20How%20Amazon%20gets%20packages%20to%20you

A gigantic Australian train!

Productive efficiency/economies of scale in action in this BBC clip
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-34971953

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Diesel cars and government failure

Good example from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/vw-and-government-failure?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily+tutor2u+Economics+updates&utm_content=Daily+tutor2u+Economics+updates+CID_d26a0979b4a854102c229e64835ab716&utm_source=CampMonitor&utm_term=Blog++VW+and+government+failure

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Japan's Maglev train

Put's European railways in the shade!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-34829621

Sustainable economic growth

Nice example from Morocco from the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34903102

Monday, November 16, 2015

Multiplier stories

Thanks to tutor2u for this compilation
http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/the-multiplier-effect-in-action?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily+tutor2u+Economics+updates&utm_content=Daily+tutor2u+Economics+updates+CID_580e6eb02ce37e7ed197722a6c0aa931&utm_source=CampMonitor&utm_term=Blog++The+Multiplier+Effect+in+Action

and

http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/easyjet-local-multipliers-and-economic-growth?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily+tutor2u+Economics+updates&utm_content=Daily+tutor2u+Economics+updates+CID_2529522963f51399aa91018eb2262fbf&utm_source=CampMonitor&utm_term=Blog++Easyjet+local+multipliers+and+economic+growth

Productivity.......and why is it stagnant?

Nice compilation from tutor2u
http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/the-uk-productivity-issue?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily+tutor2u+Economics+updates&utm_content=Daily+tutor2u+Economics+updates+CID_580e6eb02ce37e7ed197722a6c0aa931&utm_source=CampMonitor&utm_term=Blog++The+UK+Productivity+Issue

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Cambridge University and supply side effects on the economy

Thanks to tutor2u for finding this
http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/supply-side-economics-commercialising-university-research?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily+tutor2u+Economics+updates&utm_content=Daily+tutor2u+Economics+updates+CID_57be6eec693aa0cf212b95c0769e0d5b&utm_source=CampMonitor&utm_term=Blog++Supply-side+Economics+Commercialising+University+Research

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Electric scooters: A way to reduce negative externalities?

It seems so, reports the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34773466

Monday, November 09, 2015

Negative externalities: The effect of the Icelandic financial crisis on the unborn

Thanks to tutor2u for this
http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/externalities-the-effects-of-financial-stress-on-pregnancy

Exchange rates quiz

Thanks to tutor2u
http://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/tutor2u-media/channels/beyond-the-bike/Exchange-Rate-Systems.pdf?mtime=20151105213025

Price discrimination

A new take on an old idea in the guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/media-network/2015/nov/06/personalised-pricing-future-online-offline-retail

Thursday, November 05, 2015

TTIP trade deal: Pros and cons

Thanks to economicshelp for this
http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/14145/trade/tipp-uk-us-trade-deal/

Fish shortages: A tragedy of the commons?

Nice report from the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34727827

Falling demand for holidays in Egypt

Which factors that effect demand have altered?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-34733072

Wednesday, November 04, 2015

Regulating the cannabis market

An interesting post from the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-34718278

Amazon and Creative Destruction

Thanks to tutor2u for this
http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/amazon-and-creative-destruction

Labour market discrimination

Thanks to tutor2u for these examples
http://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/tutor2u-media/subjects/economics/downloads/Discrimination-in-the-Workplace.pdf?mtime=20151103143215

Privatisation: Pros and cons

Thanks to tutor2u for this
http://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/tutor2u-media/subjects/economics/downloads/Privatisation-Pros-and-Cons.pdf?mtime=20151103144019

Mergers and aquisitions: Examples

Thanks to tutor2u
http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/mergers-and-acquisitions-in-the-news

Should the minimum wage be increased?

This, from tutor2u, argues you already get more than the pay from an entry level job
http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/the-benefits-of-an-entry-level-job-much-more-than-the-wage

The rising cost of watching live football

An interesting take from tutor2u
http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/rising-football-ticket-prices

Benefits and benefits in kind by income decile

Thanks to economicshelp for this data
http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/14859/economics/benefits-and-benefits-in-kind-by-income-decile/

Income inequality by income decile

Thanks to economicshelp for this data
http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/14853/economics/income-inequality-by-income-decile/

Rising demand for sweet potatoes

Why? tutor2u reports
http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/surging-demand-for-sweet-potatoes

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Should we tax sugary drinks?

This brilliant 2-sided summary from economicshelp
http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/14884/economics/sugar-tax-debate/
It seems more likely, reports the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34606732
and Ch4
http://www.channel4.com/news/introduce-sugar-tax-health-officials-tell-government
and it's being called for by Jamie Oliver
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34606732 and http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/jamie-oliver-calls-for-sugar-tax-on-soft-drinks
From tutor2u
http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/bacon-sandwich-with-sugar-anyone

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Light rail in Addis: A supply side policy

Think of the impact of this on the Ethiopian economy in terms of its effect on the AS/PPF curves

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34549253

Friday, October 09, 2015

Substitutes for "normal" cigarettes in India

An interesting clip from the BBC covering several aspects of demand theory

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34485958

International trade data

Want to know the trade pattern of a country? This great source courtesy of tutor2u
https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/

Wednesday, October 07, 2015

Negative externalities from motoring

Scary stuff from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34461450

Tuesday, October 06, 2015

Trans-Pacific Partnership: What is it and what does it mean?

Nice summary from the BBC

Trans-Pacific Partnership: What is it and what does it mean?

and thanks to tutor2u for this

http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/trans-pacific-partnership-tpp-is-sealed

Plastic bag charge comes to England

This, from Sky, explains the market failure and how the charge may reduce it

http://news.sky.com/story/1563854/confusion-over-complicated-plastic-bag-law

and the BBC shows the negative externalities

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34414750
and
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34441674

and this shows what happened in Scotland after the charge was introduced

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34441675

Monday, October 05, 2015

5p for a plastic bag: Will that reduce the market failure?

It appears it may if the evidence from other countries is anything to go by

http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/a-nudge-to-reduce-plastic-bag-use

Friday, October 02, 2015

Cigarette butts; a negative externality

Paris aims to target offenders with fines

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34422566

The effect of a depreciating Ugandan currency

This BBC report highlights some of the difficulties and the actions open to the Central Bank of Uganda
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34423847

In car smoking ban

The latest legislation to reduce the market failure associated with the cigarette market

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34402622

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Money!

An interesting article about what we mean by "money" from tutor2u http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/the-future-of-cash-1

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

The supply curve for steel

As the price falls, some firms stop producing as they cannot produce profitably. This appears to be the fate or Redcar, reports the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-34380108

Dismaland and the multiplier effect

So reports the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34372662

Monday, September 28, 2015

Information failure: Tattoo removal

Good example of information failure from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34368207

Sunday, September 27, 2015

UK national debt

Thanks to economicshelp for this
http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/334/uk-economy/uk-national-debt/

Winners and losers from low interest rates

Thanks to economicshelp for this
http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/14553/interest-rates/who-benefits-from-low-interest-rates/

Inflation data

Thanks to economics help fot this data
http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/5720/economics/inflation-stats-and-graphs/

Friday, September 18, 2015

The claimant count: Explanation and data

Thanks to economicshelp for this

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/14529/unemployment/claimant-count-unemployment/

Unemployment data

Thanks to economicshelp for this

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/5695/alevel/unemployment-stats-and-graphs/

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Automated milk processing

A good example of capital intensive production from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34266212

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Is instant coffee an inferior good?

Tutor2u pose the question
http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/coffe-snobs-who-refuse-to-drink-instant

Sunday, September 06, 2015

Free sun cream in Miami; a way to reduce market failure?

Nice story from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34153206

Saturday, September 05, 2015

Environmental damage from Indonesian tin mining

Thanks to Aljazeera for this report

http://video.aljazeera.com/channels/eng/videos/illegal-indonesian-tin-mining-damaging-environment/4426342686001

Assumptions in economics

Thanks to tutor2u for this

http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/assumptions-in-economics

Monopoly fact sheet

Thanks to tutor2u for this sample

http://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/tutor2u-media/subjects/economics/downloads/as-micro-companion-sample-topic.pdf?mtime=20150903071511

Friday, September 04, 2015

Negative externalities from skiing in Switzerland

Thanks to the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34124473

Employment rate data

Thanks to tutor2u for this

http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/reference/employment-rate

Nissan and Hitachi invest in the North-East

Thanks to the BBC for these 2 stories

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34136541 Nissan
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-34130229 Hitachi

Monday, August 31, 2015

The derived demand for labour: Pilots in China

Nice example of the scale of the increase in derived demand for pilots

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1659202292001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAmtVJIFk~,TVGOQ5ZTwJbsT0Mq3k9H8GCa4jV3vL4M&bctid=3925344337001

The effect of migration on the labour market

Nice clip from ITV summarising the issues in this tutor2u post

http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/huge-rise-in-net-inward-migration-into-the-uk

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Average wage differences in the UK

Interesting map from tutor2u
http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/average-weekly-earnings-by-uk-city

Economic systems: The invisible hand and the free market system

Thanks to tutor2u for this
http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/the-invisible-hand-bbcs-a-history-of-ideas

Economies and diseconomies of scale

Quick-fire test from tutor2u

http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/internal-and-external-economies-of-scale-a-quick-fire-quiz

Thursday, August 27, 2015

e-cigarettes and externalities

Are they positive or negative? Interesting article from the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-34051996
and tutor2u
http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/e-cigarettes-government-policy-to-combat-demerit-good-or-government-failure-example

Record UK netmigration

....reports the BBC
What effect on the UK's PPF, AD and AS?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34076607
and from tutor2u
http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/huge-rise-in-net-inward-migration-into-the-uk

A merger in the £1 market

...reports sky

http://news.sky.com/story/1541253/poundlands-99p-stores-takeover-gets-go-ahead

The demand for chocolate

Interesting Sky report
http://news.sky.com/story/1542014/chocolate-demand-melts-away-as-prices-rise

Merger mania in the UK betting industry

Following coral/ladbrokes comes Betfai/Paddy Powere, reports Sky

http://news.sky.com/story/1541809/bookmakers-paddy-power-and-betfair-agree-merger

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Supply and demand: The rising price of Indonesian beef

Nice clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33955802

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Opportunity cost numerical examples

Thanks to tutor2u for this

http://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/tutor2u-media/library/Opportunity-Cost-examples.pdf?mtime=20150811113401

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Cuba moves towards a mixed economy......

....starting with agriculture, reports Aljazeera

http://video.aljazeera.com/channels/eng/videos/cuban-farmers-lead-the-way-to-free-market-economy/4397255089001

Fewer stillbirths and premature babies: A positive externality from the smoking ban

Great story from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-33910232

Colorado river pollution and the consequent negative externalities

Thanks to tutor2u for finding this for Ch4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa_KDdjWpJU

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Concentration ratio activity

Thanks to tutor2u
http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/concentration-ratio-pyramid-a-classroom-activity

The effect of increasing VAT in Greece

Nice clip from the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33590434

Why is British productivity low?

Interesting clips from the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33347300 and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33433358

Should government regulate high energy foods?

A thought provoking article from George Monbiot in The Guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/11/obesity-incurable-disease-cameron-punishing-sufferers

Costs: Why is Tesla still in Business if it's losing $4,000 for every car it sells?

Interesting! Think fixed and variable costs when reading this Sky news story
http://news.sky.com/story/1533301/tesla-losing-4000-for-every-vehicle-sold

Horizontal integration in the betting industry

....reports Sky
http://news.sky.com/story/1524609/ladbrokes-and-coral-agree-2-3bn-merger

Falling milk prices

Nice summary from tutor2u
http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/economics-of-falling-milk-prices

China devalues its currency

Why? What happens? A nice collection from tutor2u
http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/china-devalues-their-currency
and the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33868312 and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33590434

Macroeconomic data from the FT

Thanks to tutor2u for sharing this
http://ig.ft.com/sites/uk/economic-dashboard/#inflation

Is China's growth sustainable?

Open to question, according to the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-33546231

Should we tax sugary drinks?

The BMA seems to think so reports tutor2u
http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/doctors-call-for-a-20-tax-of-sugary-foods-and-drinks
and sky news
http://news.sky.com/story/1517824/doctors-demand-a-20-percent-tax-on-sugary-drinks
and the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-33509545

Why Uber prices surge during a tube strike

Thanks to tutor2u

http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/uber-surge-pricing-and-the-tube-strike

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

TTIP explained

Thanks to economicshelp for this
http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/14145/trade/tipp-uk-us-trade-deal/

Budget deficit data

Thanks to the Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/datablog/2015/jul/08/george-osborne-ban-budget-deficits

Monday, July 20, 2015

The effect of the increase in Greek VAT...

...is clearly seen in this BBC clip

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33590434

Monday, July 06, 2015

When should governments intervene in a market?

This BBC clip shows many Americans don't believe government intervention is needed in the market for trans fats

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-33155176

Sunday, July 05, 2015

Joseph Stiglitz on Inequality

Thanks to tutor2u for this
http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/joseph-stiglitz-on-inequality-june-2015

International trade data

Thanks to tutor2u for this

http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/international-trade-agreements

Information Failure - Sunscreen Labelling

Thanks to tutor2u for this http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/information-failure-sunscreen-labelling

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Why might a subsidy not be effective in reducing market failure?

A sobering clip from the BBC explaining the role of subsidies in reducing the market failure associated with inequality of incomes
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33109040

Monday, June 15, 2015

Minimum milk prices in the USA and the effect of selling the oversupply on the Jamaican milk industry

Interesting case study

http://pulitzercenter.org/reporting/jamaica-milk-production-industry-imported-powder

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Is the government's proposal to ban legal highs the right way forward?

Sky news explains the proposals
http://news.sky.com/story/1492430/legal-highs-crackdown-dealers-face-prison
Here's a good discussion from Ch4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWMS67MRNjY

What will be banned? This Guardian article outlines the categories, the last one of which may turn out to be an example of government failure

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/may/29/legal-highs-what-drugs-will-be-banned

Market failure: Binge drinking in Magaluf

Legislation seems to be the order of the day, but how easy will it be to enforce?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/33061788/new-magaluf-drinking-laws-kick-in-but-what-are-they

Drought hit California: The tragedy of the commons

Every farmer needs the water but as each takes what they need, the problem worsens, reports the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-33120855

The effect of a budget surplus

Thanks to economicshelp for this
http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/14011/debt/effects-of-a-budget-surplus/

Market failure: Income inequality

A thought provoking video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj2LA8rEqQ4

This full length documentary on the issue is fascinating
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NdDupITDv8

Market failure: The tragedy of the commons

Nice explanatory videos
I like this one best https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwaNZgY9PCQ but you may prefer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLirNeu-A8I
This is longer (and fairly right wing) but has some good points
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0vmP7HoFI4

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Legislation is one thing; enforcement another

So it appears from this BBC report and clip
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-32954884

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-32933819

The demand for motorbikes in India

.....and motorbike clothing. The BBC reports

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33017249

Why India is cutting interest rates

Nice clip on monetary policy objectives from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32969042

How to reduce smoking?

Information provision may be the key, reports the BBC and Sky, possibly funded by a new tax on tobacco profits

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-33075217 BBC
http://news.sky.com/story/1499287/tobacco-firms-should-pay-to-help-smokers-stop Sky

A2 Economics glossary

.....from tutor2u
http://www.slideshare.net/tutor2u/tutor2u-a2-macroeconomics-glossary

Nudging to Achieve Behavioural Change

Thanks to tutor2u for this
http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/nudging-to-achieve-behavioural-change

Limitations to GDP as an Economic Indicator

Thanks to tutor2u for this
http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/storify-limitations-to-gdp-as-an-economic-indicator

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Income inequality: Are we all in this together?

Unlikely if the BBC has got it's options right on how to save £12bn from the welfare budget

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32910848

Crossrail and a positive externality

A nature reserve, reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32879846

Why is consumption (and therefore growth) stagnent/falling in Japan?

Great clip rom the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32799139

Information failure? Paracetamol and pregnancy

Possibly, reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-32832784

De-Merit Goods - Banning Legal Highs

Rather than banning specific compounds, the government now intends to use regulation to ban all legal highs
BBC video http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32938598

Ch4 video http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/de-merit-goods-banning-legal-highs

What would be the costs and benefits of such a move and to what extent would it reduce the market failure associated with legal highs?

Emigration and its effect on the PPF/Economic growth

Dire, for Greece if this tutor2u post is correct

http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/generation-g-the-greek-brain-drain

China cuts tariffs on imported consumer goods

...reports tutor2u

http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/china-cuts-tariffs-on-imported-consumer-goods

Costs and benefits; mining in a national park

This proposal has both private and external benefits and costs? Should it be given the go ahead?

http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/mining-for-polyhalite-in-a-national-park

Inequality: Joseph Stiglitz on The Great Divide

Interesting video

http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/joseph-stiglitz-on-the-great-divide

and article via tutor2u
http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/stiglitz-on-falling-living-standards-in-the-uk

Deflation: CPI inflation in the UK turns negative

Reports tutor2u with a BBC video clip

http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/cpi-inflation-in-the-uk-turns-negative

The key questions this raises from Ch4
http://www.channel4.com/news/inflation-negative-cpi-consumer-prices-index-carney-boe

A supply-side policy: Stricter laws on strike action

As reported by tutor2u

http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/supply-side-policy-stricter-laws-on-strike-action

Monopoly

A revision presentation from tutor2u

http://www.slideshare.net/tutor2u/basics-of-the-economics-of-monopoly

Perfect competition

A revision presentation from tutor2u

http://www.slideshare.net/tutor2u/perfect-competition-48746354

Contestable markets

A revision presentation from tutor2u

http://www.slideshare.net/tutor2u/contestable-markets-48746179

International trade

A presentation from tutor2u

http://www.slideshare.net/tutor2u/aspects-of-international-trade

International competitiveness

A revision presentation from tutor2u

http://www.slideshare.net/tutor2u/economics-of-international-competitiveness

Production possibility frontier

A revision presentation from tutor2u

http://www.slideshare.net/tutor2u/production-possibility-frontier-revision-presentation

Government failure

A revision presentation from tutor2u

http://www.slideshare.net/tutor2u/government-failure-as-micro

First year glossary

...from tutor2u
Micro http://www.slideshare.net/tutor2u/key-term-glossary-for-as-micro-2015-edition
and macro http://www.slideshare.net/tutor2u/key-term-glossary-for-as-macro-2015

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

What are the effects of deflation?

A summary of the effects on individuals from the Nationwide

http://www.nationwide.co.uk/guides/news/articles/2015/05/deflation-revealed?j=11772966&e=bryn.jones1@ntlworld.com&l=240575_HTML&u=181980034&mid=1304473&jb=1719&et_cid=11772966&et_rid=2723804606

Sunday, May 03, 2015

What is a budget deficit?

BBC Wales answers the question

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-32397615

Regulation needs enforcement

....and this newsagent lost his licence

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-32310502

How tax cuts could effect an economy

Thanks to economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/13566/economics/the-effect-of-tax-cuts/

Economies ans diseconomies of scale

Thanks to tutor2u for this slideshare

http://www.slideshare.net/tutor2u/economies-and-diseconomies-of-scale-a2-micro

Saturday, April 04, 2015

Capitalism: A nice summary....

....from the comedian Colm O'Regan at the BBC in these 4 short clips

1. The worst economic system.....apart from the rest http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-31658746
2. Capitalism and Marx http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-31817997
3. Capitalism and the role of the state; Keynes v Friedman http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-31818000
4. The crisis of capitalism http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-31818387

Friday, April 03, 2015

Financing the current account deficit

Thanks to tutor2u for this post
http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/financing-the-uk-current-account-deficit

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Learning English in Japanese schools: A supply side policy?

Could well be according to this BBC clip
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32020491

Buying prescription medicines over the internet: A case of information failure?

Nice report from the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31454072

CPI inflation at zero: Good or bad?

The evaluation from economicshelp
http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/13272/inflation/is-zero-inflation-a-good-thing/
and evaluation from Ch4
http://www.channel4.com/news/inflation-deflation-bank-of-england-spending-good-news
and Robert Peston at the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32042590
and a report from Sky on the cause
http://news.sky.com/story/1451456/inflation-hits-0-percent-as-food-costs-fall-further

Saturday, March 21, 2015

The falling price of oil

Explained in 60 seconds in the BBC video

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-31594762#

Skunk: A case of information failure?

It could be the case, reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31484449#

Supply and demand; the price of a marathon

Nice article from the Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/datablog/2015/mar/17/running-costs-what-are-the-worlds-most-expensive-marathons

an you explain the difference in entry fee using S&D analysis?

The gini coefficient

Thanks to tutor2u for this post including a link to the bBC and latest data

http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/what-is-the-gini-coefficient

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

The basket of goods; 2015 changes

Thanks to the BBC for the update

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-31924148 video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-31920550 article

and the Guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/mar/17/from-craft-beer-to-e-cigarettes-inflation-basket-reflects-britains-changing-shopping-habits
and Sky
http://news.sky.com/story/1446648/e-cigarettes-added-to-inflation-shopping-basket

Sunday, March 08, 2015

Fines to back up legislation used to reduce market failure: The Finland method

It's often argued the fine has to be relevant to the income of the offender. That's the method in Finland and can result in some mighty big fines, reports the BBC

http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2015/mar/04/finland-speeding-progressive-punishment-motorist-fine

CPI inflation at record low of 0.3%

....and here's why

http://news.sky.com/story/1428952/inflation-at-record-low-of-0-3-percent-in-january

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Inequality of income in the USA

Great 90 second video from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-31377192#

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Macro objectives and conflicts

Nice post from economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/419/economics/conflicts-between-policy-objectives/

Regulation to reduce market failure Smoking ban for people in cars with children in them

Coming in October reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31310685

Saturday, February 07, 2015

Differing standards; a form of protectionism?

This BBC clip shows the limitations on the free trade in cars worldwide

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-31101842#

Currency pegs around the world

Thanks to tutor2u for this link to the Economist

http://beta.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/currency-pegs-around-the-world

Differing wages in the labour market

A nice tool from the BBC which compares your wage, in a variety of ways, to that of top footballers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-31110113

Sunday, February 01, 2015

slideshares to sort

How technology can increase productivity: The half mile long train

Great report from the BBC on the effect of automating tasks. The last sentence says the job is reduced from 12 years to 2

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31010111#

The costs of increasing car ownership

Summarised in under a minute by this BBC report on car ownership in China

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-31065433#

The measles outbreak in California; a case of information failure?

Why do more affluent parents in California not immunise their children? Could it be a case of information failure asks this BBC clip
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-31034379#

Market failure; smoking in pregnancy

Are financial incentives the way to reduce the market failure (ie negative externalities in the form of harm to the unborn child)? Maybe, this small scale trial reported by the BBC suggests

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31015747#

Speed cameras; actions to reduce market failure

Reduced accidents (ie negative externalities) resulting from this scheme in Scotland, report the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-30982498#

Policies to solve the problem of deflation/low inflation

Thanks to economicshelp for this summary

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/6399/economics/impact-of-immigration-on-uk-economy/

The impact of immigration on the UK economy

A wide ranging summary from Economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/6399/economics/impact-of-immigration-on-uk-economy/

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Gender pay inequality in the UK

Appalling, reports Aljazeera
http://video.aljazeera.com/channels/eng/videos/uk-wage-inequality-women-paid-less-than-men/3953227768001

Minimum wage in Santa Fe, USA

Thanks to Aljazeera
http://video.aljazeera.com/channels/eng/videos/sante-fe-leads-the-way-in-us-wage-laws/3971856556001

Qatar moves towards a more sustainable economic growth model

......by recycling water, reports Aljazeera

http://video.aljazeera.com/channels/eng/videos/water-recycling-keeps-gulf-afloat/3998354290001

What is quantitative easing?

Explained in 70 seconds by the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30937023#
and Aljazeera
http://video.aljazeera.com/channels/eng/videos/kamahl-santamaria-explains-the-expected-effects-of-the-programme/4004896389001

Plain cigarette packaging heads for the UK

A decisive action to reduce market failure? I hope so, but time will tell

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30920285#

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Protectionism and free trade: Cuba and the USA

More "normalisation" reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-30844329#

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Inequality in Scotland; the rise of food banks

A depressing video form the BBC (unless that is you believe that the free market with little government intervention is best)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-30857423#

The effect of the rising Swiss Franc

Bad for exporters, but what about the Swiss inflation rate.? The BBC reports

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30845248#

The falling oil price; winners and losers

On both a micro and macro level, this BBC clip makes interesting viewing

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-30711701

The liquidity trap explained

Thanks to economicshelp for this explanation

http://econ.economicshelp.org/2009/10/liquidity-trap-explained.html

Friday, January 16, 2015

Why has the price of milk been falling?

Ch4 explains

http://www.channel4.com/news/how-did-milk-become-cheaper-than-bottled-water-video

UK debt

Lots of data in this economicshelp post

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/1870/economics/uk-debt-burden/

How useful is pareto efficiency?

Useful post from economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/12643/economics/useful-pareto-efficiency/

How the inflation rate varies between different income groups?

Thanks to tutor2u for pointing me to this ONS post

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/elmr/variation-in-the-inflation-experience-of-uk-households/2003-2014/sty-variation-in-the-inflation-experience-of-uk-households.html

Why some inflation is seen as a good thing

Great article from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30778491?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

The price mechanism and allocative efficiency

Nice post from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/using-the-price-mechanism-to-boost-allocative-efficiency-car-parking-charge?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:16:56:00Z

The history of the CPI basket

2 articles from the BBC (click the tab to get the second story) explaining some of the ins and outs of the CPI basket

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-30828142

The problems of enforcing the minimum wage

Some well known firms appear to be breaking the law according to this Sky story

http://news.sky.com/story/1408190/minimum-wage-firms-named-and-shamed

CPI Inflation falls to a record low

This Ch4 video explains why

http://www.channel4.com/news/inflation-drops-to-record-low-as-oil-prices-tumble

as does this Sky post

http://news.sky.com/story/1406965/inflation-at-joint-lowest-level-on-record

and the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30795666#

and this one questions whether it's all good news

http://news.sky.com/story/1407096/why-record-inflation-fall-is-not-all-good-news

as do these posts from Robert Peston

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30795424
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30778484

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Deflation in the Euro zone

Yes and no, it appears from this BBC clip; it depends how you measure it

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30708069#

Conainer ships; even more economies of scale

Over the years I've posted links to stories about ever larger container ships. Here's the new King of the container ships able to carry 19,100 containers with 20 crew

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30720824#

Mindboggling!

Why has the $ appreciated?

Well, obviously, it's to do with supply and demand but this economicshelp post adds some reasons

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/12596/us/reasons-for-rise-in-value-of-the-dollar/

How has the UK recovered from the recession?

An interesting graph in this post from economicshelp comparing the recovery in GDP per capita in the UK to France and the USA

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/12576/economics/the-uk-recovery-compared/

How wages are determined: The £1000 a week bricklayers

Nice blog post from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/the-labour-market-and-foreign-bricklayers-on-1000-a-week?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:13:17:00Z