Unit 2: Slight fall in UK inflation

Thanks to anforme for this post

http://www.anforme.co.uk/blog/?p=2450

and the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16160960 video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16154965 article

Unit 2: Comparing EU unemployment data

A nice interactive chart from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13359367

Unit 1: Soaring chocolate prices

Thanks to tutor2u for this

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/gcse-economics/comments/demand-and-supply-in-action-chocolate-prices-soar

a) Using the info in the article and using a diagram, explain why chocolate prices are rising fast

Unit 1: A market in disequilibrium: Butter in Norway (believe it not!)

I love this story from Planet Money

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2011/12/13/143632326/a-rich-country-runs-out-of-butter?ft=1&f=93559255

with a follow up from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16170808

a) Can you use a S&D diagram to explain this problem?

Unit 2: Unemployment gets worse

....in all sorts of ways. The data is depressing

http://news.sky.com/home/business/article/16129991 Sky
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16180144 BBC video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16189158 BBC video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16175309 BBC artcle and data

Unit 1: The external cost of excessive alcohol

The Guardian has some unbelievable stats in this article

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/dec/09/hospital-admissions-drinking-double?INTCMP=SRCH

a) Why is this an external cost of alcohol consumption?
b) State 3 other external costs of alcohol consumption
c) What actions could the government take to internalise these external costs of alcohol?

Unit 1: Does legislation work to curb alcohol consumption?

The answer would appear to be "yes" from early evidence in Scotland

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16097832

Unit 2: How to boost growth

This BBC aricle contains a mix of remedies

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15003833

a) Seperate the policies in to supply side and demand side policies
b) To what extent are such policies likely to be successful in boosting the rate of economic growth?

Unit 1: Migrant labour and the PPC

Qatar has more migrants than Quatari's reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16052572

a) Using a diagram, explain the effect of this migration on Qatar's production posibility curve

Unit 2: How to increase economic growth

Thanks to economicshelp for this summary

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/4493/economics/how-to-increase-economic-growth/

Unit 2: Economic growth in Australia

....reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16076812 video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16063331 article

...and a cut in interest rates

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16044504

Unit 1: Negative externalities: Smog in Beijing

A fantastic clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16049592

a) Why is the smog an example of a negative externality?
b) What actions could the government take to reduce the negative externality?
c) To what extent is each policy likely to be successful?

Unit 1: Information failure when shopping

A nice clip from the BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/panorama/hi/front_page/newsid_9655000/9655493.stm

a) What is the information failure consumers are suffering?
b) What is the result in the free market?
c) What actions could the government take to eradicate this information failure for the consumer?

Unit 1: Should smoking in cars be banned?

Some interesting thoughts here

http://www.confused.com/news-views/blogs/should-smoking-in-cars-be-banned?MediaCode=806&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter&utm_source=Newsletter05Dec

Unit 2 How useful are supply side policies in a recession?

A nice summary from economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/4401/economics/the-role-of-supply-side-policies-in-a-recession/

Unit 1: The whisky market

....is growing according to the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16007905

a) Which of the factors that effect demand are causing the increasing demand for whisky?
b) Is supply elastic or inelastic? Explain your answer
c) Given your answers to a) and b) draw a S&D diagram to show the effect on the whisky market if demand continues to grow

Unit 1 : Alcohol; a demerit good

A sad story from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15998280

a) What evidence is there in the video of the 2 elements of demerit goods; ie information failure and negative externalities
b) Towhat extent do you believe higher taxes and better information to consumers would reduce alcohol consumption?

Unit 1: Elasticity of supply: Biscuits

A great video found by tutor2u

http://www.unitedbiscuits.com/video/videoPopup.php?w=756&h=576

a) Would the supply of these biscuits likely be elastic or inelastic? Explain your answer?

Unit 2: European unemployment data

The latest (Nov 2011) figs from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15961626

Unit 2: Government action to reduce youth Unemployment

An initiative from the Government (and long overdue it could be argued) as youth unemployment tops a million

http://news.sky.com/home/politics/article/16117378 Sky
http://www.channel4.com/news/clegg-to-announce-1bn-youth-job-scheme Ch4
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15885013 BBC video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-1587879 BBC article

a) What sort of policy is this by the government?
b) To what extent do you believe these actions will reduce youth unemployment?

Unit 1: The external costs of obesity

..could be huge (no pun intended) according to BBC Northern Ireland

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15839264

a) Why are these health costs examples of external costs?
b) What actions could the Government take to reduce these external costs and so reduce the market failure?
c) To what extent do you think such policies would be successful in reducing the negative externalities?

Unit 1: Migration and the PPC

A ring number of people in the UK, the BBC reports

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15868793

a) Given this information, what would happen to the UK's PPC?
b) Given that there are 2.6m people unemployed, draw a PPC diagram and show the UK's position with an X

Unit 1: Negative externalities from global warming

Pitty the Austrian ski industry

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15868294

a) Why are the green ski slopes an example of a negative externality?
b) Why is the cost of operating snow machines an example of an external cost?

Unit 2: Sources of tax revenue for the government

Thanks to economicshelp for this data

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/4001/economics/tax-revenue-sources-in-uk/

Unit 1: Information failure: How much fibre should you eat?

Lots, according to the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15696791

a) How does the food market fail according to this video?
b) If everybody was made to watch this video, would it eliminate the market failure? Explain your answer

Unit 1: Information failure: How much fibre should you eat?

Unit 2: Policies for reducing unemployment

Lovely summary from economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/3881/economics/policies-for-reducing-unemployment/

Unit 1: What determines the price of oil?

A great summary, with data, from economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/3809/oil/factors-affecting-oil-prices-in-short-term-and-long-term/

Unit 2: Youth and general unemployment in the UK and Europe

Another horrible set of unemployment stats, especially in terms of youth unemployment

http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16111343 Sky
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15760472 BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-1575562BBC
http://blogs.channel4.com/faisal-islam-on-economics/bad-news-grim-jobs-data-worse-news-euro-effect-to-come/15570 Ch4

and the view from Wales

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-15767242

and this summary from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/testing-times-for-the-uk

a) What are the costs of such high youth unemployment to the UK economy?
b) Using the Europe data halfway down the page, discuss how much of a problem youth unemployment is in the UK

Unit 2: GDP data

Thanks to tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/gcse-economics/comments/delicious-data-uk-gdp-growth

Unit 2: Inflation falls slightly to 5%

....according to the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15733539

a) Why has the CPI fallen?
b) What has happened to average prices in the past 12 months?

Unit 1: Australia limits cigarette packaging

..a.ccording to Sky news

http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16107369

and the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15673797

a) To what extent do you think this action will reduce the market failure associated with the cigarette market?

Unit 1: Cross elasticity of demand and the Kindle Fire

Can this be true? Planet money report each kindle fire is sold at a loss!

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2011/11/16/142310104/why-amazon-loses-money-on-every-kindle-fire?ft=1&f=93559255

a) Using the concept of cross elasticity of demand, explain why Amazon would want to sell the Kindle Fire at a loss

Unit 1: Market failure from smoking in a car

A nice video and article from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15730304 video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15751690 video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15744352 article and different video

a) What sort of market failure is occuring?
b) To what extent do you think providing information on the dangers of in car smoking would reduce people doing it and reduce the market failure?
c) To what extent do you think banning in car smoking would reduce people doing it and reduce the market failure

Unit 1: Information failure in the used car industry

A nice post from tutor2u with a Tim Harford video clip on asymetric information failure

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-1-micro-asymmetric-information-buying-a-used-car?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:10:17:29Z

Unit 1: Australia passes a carbon tax

..reports tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/australia-pass-carbon-tax

a) Discuss how successful this tax is likely to be in reducing carbon emissions

Unit 1: Fireworks displays: A public good?

A mistake in Oban provides 50 seconds of fun

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-15611160

a) To what extent is a firework display a public good?

Unit 2: Costs of unemployment

A nice clip explaining the problem of hysteresis

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-15288210

Unit 2: Australia lowers interest rates

...according to the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15532567

1. Explain what is meant by the term ‘interest rate’. (2)
2. Using an AD/AS diagram, explain how a cut in interest rates is expected to affect the macro-economy. (6)
3. Discuss how effective this cutting of interest rates is likely to be in ‘boosting economic growth’. (18)

Unit 2: What is GDP?

American, but a good explanation of what GDP is

http://www.slatev.com/video/what-exactly-gdp/

Unit 2: Unemployment tutor2u presentation/data

Many thanks to tutor2u

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4368634/Economics/Unemployment%20_Charts_Nov2011.pdf

Unit 2: Videos on Investment

Thanks to tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-2-macro-economic-importance-of-investment?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:14:41:47Z

Unit 2: Worsening unemployment

All the bad news from Ch4, especially the effect on the young via the top video, and further down some EU comparisons

http://www.channel4.com/news/unemployment-hits-17-year-high

Unit 2: Cost push inflation; causes and cures

A great summary from economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/2006/economics/cost-push-inflation-2/

Unit 2: What problems are there with a recession?

A nice summary from economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/416/economics/problems-of-recession/

Unit 2: Costs of inflation verses costs of unemployment

......a nice summary from economics help

http://econ.economicshelp.org/2011/10/inflation-v-unemployment.html

Unit 2: Monetary policy; quantitative easing

A nice clipfrom the BBC explaining what quantitative easing is

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15492115

Unit 2: Inflation data

Nice interactive chart fron the Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/interactive/2009/mar/24/rpi-inflation

Unit 2: Unemployment data

Thanks to tutor2u for these latest updated charts

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4368634/Economics/Unemployment%20_Charts_Nov2011.pdf

Unit 2: Data on consumption

Thanks to tutor2u for these charts

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-2-macro-consumer-spending-charts-for-the-uk?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:16:49:33Z

and these questions based on some of them

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

Unit 1: A fat tax in Denmark

For a long time, people combatting obesity have suggested a fat tax. The BBC reports Denmark has now led the way in intrducing such a tax

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15140821

and possibly in the UK

http://uk.health.lifestyle.yahoo.net/uk-government-may-consider-a-fat-tax.htm

a) What is the market failure this tax will combat?
b) Use a diagram to explain how the tax should reduce the market failure
c) Discuss the extent to which this policy is likely to succeeed

Unit 1: A ban on bulk buy booze discounts in Scotland

So says the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-15135000 video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-15125064 article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-15123533 article

a) To what extent is such a ban likely to reduce the negative externalities associated with excessive alcohol consumption

Unit 1: A charge for plastic bags

As ever, Wales is ahead of the game!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-15129197

and the response of consumers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-15137706

a) Why is such a charge on bags needed?
b) To what extent di you think this scheme islikely to decrease the consumption of plastic bags? Include a S&D diagram in your answer

Unit 1: More regulation on cigarette sales

This time, a ban on selling cigarettes from vending machines

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15132529

a) As ever, the question is "Comment on the likely success of this policy in reducing the market failure arising from the cigarette market"

Unit 1: How to reduce deaths from drink driving: More regulation or more information

Thanks to tutor2u for this post on 2 approaches. The video is quite sobering (and no pun is intended)

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-1-micro-drink-driving-and-government-intervention/

a) what is the market failure from drink driving?
b) Why does this occur?
c) Discuss the relative likely success of (1) increasingly tighter regulation and (2) providing more information as in the hard hitting adverts

Unit 2: What's the effect of a cut in interest rates?

A nice summary from economics help. I particularly like the evaluation section, some of which could be useful in an essay

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

Unit 2: What is GDP? Revision

Thanks to tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/study-note-introduction-to-gdp/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:10:12:00Z

Unit 2: Circular flow of income :Revision

Thanks to tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/study-note-the-circular-flow-of-income/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:10:04:00Z

Unit 2: The state of the UK economy

A nice, depressing summary from Anforme

http://www.anforme.co.uk/blog/?p=2336

a) Summarise, in terms of the Governments 4 macroeconomic objectives, the state of the UK economy

Unit 2: The economic cycle in pictures

Interesting activity from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/activity-the-economic-cycle-in-images/?utm_source=MailingList&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Economics+Update+100911

Unit 2: What is the effect on the UK of a 50%tax rate?

The argument about abolishing the 50% rate continues according to the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14821741

a) Discuss the effectiveness of a top tax rate of 50% for UK taxpayers earing over £150,000

Unit 1: A policy to overcome information failure in wales?

Interesting video from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-14826965

a) What is the market failure the policy is meant to reduce?
b) What is the opportunity cost of this policy?
c) To what extent do you believe this policy will be successful

Unit 2: Can you spend your way to full employment?

A nice post from economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/economics/spending-your-way-to-full-employment/

Unit 1 The factors of production needed to build a ball park

Thanks to tutor2u for this clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HQv0WWhoZnI#!

Unit 2: Information failure resolved?

Interesting posts from Sky news and the BBC explaining how McDonald's is now offering the calorie content of its meals

http://news.sky.com/home/business/article/16062739
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14784015

a) What is the information failure in the market?
b) From the evidence in the video and your own knowledge, what do you think the likely effect of Mcdonald's stating the calorie content of its meals will be?
c) What other actions could the government take to reduce the market failure asociated with fast food? Do you think these measures are likely to be more or less effective than the calorie information?

Unit 2: The effect of the depreciating pound on holidaymakers

An interesting post from anforme

http://www.anforme.co.uk/blog/?p=2277

a) Using the information provided, explain why more foreign tourists are coming to the UK, and fewer British citizens holidaying overseas
b) Explain why a recession in the UK leads to fewer UK citizens holidaying overseas
c) What, in general terms, can you say about the income elasicity of demand for overseas holidays? What type of good would you therefore classsify foreign holidays as?

Unit 1: Hungary's plan to impose a tax on unheathy food

The BBC reports the plan

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14016993

a) What is the economic reason for this proposal?
b) To what extent do you think this action will reduce the market failure?
c) What other policies could the Hungarian government introduce to achieve its objective?

Unit 1: Restrictions on smoking in Iceland

What about if you needed a prescription to aquire cigarettes? Thats the proposal in Iceland

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14104546

Unit 2: Inflation; what is it and who wins loses?

A great summary from the BBC's Declan Murphy

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14115829

Unit 1: Taxing negative externalities in Australia

A big step by the Australian government to internalise external costs

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14096750

a) Comment on the likely succes of this policy in reducing the market failure associated with CO2 emissions

Unit 1: The demand for Tennents lager

Nice story from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-13958687

a) Why has the demand risen?
b) Given the statement " revenue from sales of Tennent's grew faster than the volume of sales a result of price rises, would you expect the demand for Tennents to be elastic or inelastic? Explain your answer
c) Given your answers to a) and b), draw a S&D diagram to show the effect of the increase in demand on the market for Tennents

Unit 2: Evaluation in macroeconomics essays

A useful summary from economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/macroeconomics/toolkit.html

Unit 1: New images on US cigarette packets

Thanks to tutor2u for this post; click on the link to the Washington Post to see the images that the US govt will force cigarette firms to put on packets

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/as-micro-us-ramps-up-cigarette-warnings/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:07:12:00Z

a) What sort of action is this by the US govt?
b) Why has it taken this action; ie what is the market failure in the cigarette market?
c) To what extent do yoy believe this action will reduce nthe market failure?

Unit 1: Drought hits the wheat crop

The BBC reports that the drought in parts of the UK will hit the wheat harvest

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13793805

a) Using a S&D diagram, explain the likely effect on the price of wheat

Unit 2: Skills for the jobless

....and the latest data

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13779743

Unit 2: The uneven impact of inflation

....as reported by Ch4


http://www.channel4.com/news/poor-hit-hardest-by-4-5-per-cent-inflation-rate

Unit 2: Comparative inflation data

Thanks to timetric for this chart


http://byline.timetric.com/2011/06/14/the-uks-inflation-problem-rates-compared-internationally/

Unit 2: The unemployment problem

Thanks to economicshelp for this summary


http://econ.economicshelp.org/2011/06/unemployment-problem.html

Unit 2: Australian economy goes in to reverse

....according to the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13611595 video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/13611621 article

a) Give 2 reasons why Australia's growth has stalled
b) Why is it expected growth will resume in the next quater?

Unit 1: Cuba moves from central planning

...according to the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-13585353

a) In which way is this a move away from central planning?

Unit 1: Russian drinkers and price elasticity of demand

....appear to be drinking more beer and less vodka, depite tax increases according to the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/13576896

a) In economic terms, what are beer and vodka?
b)Given the increase in price and fall in sales mentioned, do you believe the PED for beer to be elastic or inelastic?
c) Explain why this is the case using economic theory

Unit 2: Do tariffs work?

An intriguing answer form tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/do-tariffs-actually-reduce-imports/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:01:31:00Z

Unit 1: Overcoming information failure: Fuel consumption labels in the USA

Thanks to tutor2u for this

Would you buy a car knowing how much more (or less) than the average car you would spend on fuel? That's what's happening in the USA

http://money.cnn.com/2011/05/25/autos/new_fuel_economy_labels/index.htm?iid=HP_River

a) What is the market failure this action is trying to reduce?
b) To what extent do you think the policy will reduce the market failure?

Unit 1: Public and private goods; revision

A nice one sheet revision from tutor2u which can be accessed half way down this post

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/as-micro-revision-public-and-private-goods/

Unit 1: The external cost oif alcohol consumption

....continues to rise according to the latest figures from these BBC posts

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13559455 article, and
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13568846 video

a) Why is rising alcohol consumption a problem for the UK economy?
b) Using a S&D diagram, explain why thr free market in alcohol is failing
c) Comment on the ideaa that raising the price of alcohol would reduce this market failure

Unit 2: the state of the UK economy

Great post with data from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/macro-revision-putting-things-in-context/

Unit 2: Would the better life index be a more accurate measure of the standard of living than real gdp per capita?

Decide for yourself by following the links in this tutor2u post

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/as-and-a2-macro-the-pursuit-of-happiness-and-the-better-life-index/

Unit 2 revision: supply side policies

A nice post from tutor2u, but not all of it is needed for OCR AS

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/as-economics-revision-supply-side-policies/

Unit 1: More legislation to reduce smoking....in NY

A nice BBC clip

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13538166

a) Why is NY banning smoking in parks?
b) Comment on the likelyhood that this ban will reduce the consumption of demerit goods like cigarettes

Unit 2: Inflation revision help

Three good posts from tutor2u on inflation :

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/as-macro-key-term-inflation/ on inflation,
http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/as-macro-key-term-cost-push-inflation/ on causes and cures for cost push inflation, and
http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/as-macro-key-term-demand-pull-inflation/ on causes and cures for demand pull inflation

Unit 1: Legislation to reduce UK carbon emissions

...is outlined by this BBC video

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13432564

a) Discuss the benefits and costs to the UK of introducing this policy

Unit 2: The unequal effect of rising unemployment

Female unemployment is rising at a faster rate than male unemployment according to Ch4

http://www.channel4.com/news/unemployment-hits-women-hardest Ch4

Different groups are being hit differently

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13447535 BBC

....and the latest figures

http://www.channel4.com/news/unemployment-falls-but-claimaint-figures-up

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13436252

Unit 2: Latest unemployment data

...fron anforme

http://www.anforme.co.uk/blog/?p=2156

Unit 1: The price of strawberries

This Sky video is interesting

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Strawberry-Crop-Warm-Weather-Produces-Biggest-and-Best-Bumper-English-Strawberries-in-20-Years/Article/201105215988234?lpos=UK_News_First_Buisness_Article_Teaser_Region_6&lid=ARTICLE_15988234_Strawberry_Crop%3A_Warm_Weather_Produces_Biggest_and_Best_Bumper_English_Strawberries_in_20_Years

a) Why has the supply of English strawberries increased?
b) Given the increase in supply, explain why the price has not decreased

Unit 2: Macro data for 2011

Thanks to tutor2u for this great data source

http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/presentations/ukeconomymay2011/handout.pdf

Unit 1: Obesity and government intervention

Thanks to tutor2u for finding this video on the American experience

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/as-micro-fast-food-fat-profits-obesity-in-the-usa/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:12:11:00Z

Unit 1: Negative externality photos; Gulf oil spill

Thanks to tutor2u for finding these

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2011/04/gulf_oil_spill_one_year_later.html

Unit 2: Australian economy data

Thanks to tutor2u for this

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/australia-booming-ahead/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:21:34:00Z

Unit 2: How inflation is measured

Although this is US data, it is for CPI and so should be similar for the UK

http://flowingdata.com/2011/04/27/how-much-more-we-pay-for-stuff-now-than-we-did-last-year/

a) Why was US inflation only 2.7% when gasoline went up 27.5%? Surely everybody buys petrol?

Unit 2: What are the effects of a surplus on the BOP current account?

A nice summary from economicshelp

http://econ.economicshelp.org/2011/04/surplus-on-current-account-balance-of.html