Unit 2: Revision: Inflation

Another great slideshow from tutor2u

http://www.slideshare.net/tutor2u/buss4-inflation?ref=http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-2-macro-inflation-and-the-business-environment

Unit 2: Revision: Economic growth, AD and GDP

Great revision presentation from tutor2u

http://www.slideshare.net/tutor2u/buss4-business-cycle-economic-growth?ref=http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-2-macro-how-the-economic-cycle-affects-businesses?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:16:05:10Z

Unit 2: Real v nominal data

Thanks to tutor2u for this

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-2-macro-revision-on-real-economic-data

Unit 2: Unemployment : Data and hysteresis

Thanks to tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-4-macro-unemployment-scarring-effects

Unit 2: Real disposable income and Consumption

Nice revision piece with data from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-2-macro-revision-on-real-disposable-income

Unit 1: Rising Air Passenger Tax

....reports the BBC

http://news.sky.com/home/business/article/16200200
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17576620

a) What market failure is the tax meant to reduce?
b) Using a S&D diagram, explain how likely this tax will be to (1) reduce the market failure and (2) increase government revenue

Unit 2: What determines the level of capital investment by firms?

Nice summary from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-2-macro-revision-on-capital-investment

Unit 1: The rising price of coffee

Great clip from Aljazeera

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6iqNEiAI1lY

a) Using a S&D diagram, explain the paid rise in the price of coffee. Think how you will draw both the D and S curves; do you think D and/or S will be price elastic or inelastic?

Unit 2: Actions to reduce youth unemployment

Some good data in this article from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/blanchflower-calls-for-more-action-to-address-youth-jobless-crisis

Unit 2: Updated macro data

...from tutor2u covering GDP and consumption (amongst others)

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/life-in-the-slow-lane-uk-growth-in-2011-lags-the-euro-area

Unit 1: Is the demand for postage stamps price elastic or inelastic?

We'll soon find out as Royal Mail hikes its prices

http://news.sky.com/home/business/article/16197145 sky news video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17522500 BBC article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17530049 BBC video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17522683 BBC interview

a) Why has Royal mail decided to increase its prices?
b) What does that tell you about their perception of the PED for stamps?
c) Using the list of factors that determine whether D is elastic/inelastic, explain why this might, and might not, be the case

Unit 2: Raising the school leaving age: How successful would this supply side policy be

A nice evaluation from economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/5097/economics/should-school-leaving-age-be-raised-to-18/

Unit 2: Who do we trade with?

The second half of this article from economicshelp shows our major trading partners

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/5083/economics/what-does-the-uk-produce/

Unit 2: Are there any benefits of inflation?

Some, says economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/1357/economics/benefits-of-inflation/

Unit 1: Pros and cons of a fat tax

Thanks to economicshelp for this summary

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/5056/economics/pros-and-cons-of-fat-tax/

Unit 1: Why has the price of petrol risen....again

It's all down to S&D reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17495151

Unit 2: What determines consumer confidence?

Nice clip from the BBC explaining how the Nationwide survey does it

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17487689

Unit 1: Should there be a minimum unit price for alcohol?

The proposal is for 40p per unit. The government position is in this clip

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17487194 video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17485951 video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17482035 article

These tutor2u posts have some of the adv/disadv summarised

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/the-minimum-alcohol-price-debate?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:16:49:41Z

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/minimum-beer-prices-may-not-be-the-solution-for-binge-drinking1

Why's such a measure needed? Rising liver deaths says the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17471790

But the big retailers aren't happy

http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16194599 Sky

..and an MP arrested for assaulting 3 people in the Houses of Parliament whilst drunk thinks the minimum price is unfair on equality grounds

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17496257

Unit 2 International inflation rates

A good source of up to date data

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/inflation-rates-list-by-country

Unit 2: What's the budget all about?

A nice clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17438647

Unit 2: Budget 2012

A nice summary from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17460451 video

and great data from the Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2012/mar/21/budget-2012-key-data
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2010/oct/18/deficit-debt-government-borrowing-data
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2012/mar/21/budget-2012-spending-tax-visualised#zoomed-picture Govt income and expenditure by catagory diagram
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2012/mar/21/budget-2012-all-the-data

Unit 2: Tariff wars: The USA/China tit for tat tariff war continues

....according to the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17454885

Unit 2: Why does the rate of inflation change?

A nice clip from the BBC explaining the upward and downward pressures in the "basket" betwen Jan and Feb 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17444899

Latest data from anforme

http://www.anforme.co.uk/blog/?p=2573

Unit 1: The price of driving in Shanghai

.....is rising, according to the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17441369

a) Using a S&D diagram, explain why the price of a licence has risen
b) Show and explain what the authorities could do to lower the price

Unit 1: How to reduce the market failure from plastic bags

A great summary article from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17027990

a) In what way does the market for plastic bags fail?
b) Discuss the extent to which any single measure outlined in the article couild reduce the market failure

Unit 1: The impact of indirect taxes on beer production

Nice video from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17399301

Unit 2: Unemployment resource from Ch4

They call it the jobs report and it's got a variety of links

http://www.channel4.com/news/channel-4-jobs-report-how-to-create-2-5-million-jobs/

Unit 2: Latest unemployment data: March 2012

Great data from the Guardian, including by region

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2010/nov/17/unemployment-and-employment-statistics-economics

and youth unemployment

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/interactive/2011/nov/16/youth-unemployment-map

...and a video clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17365218

...and how women have been hit hardest rom this BBC clip

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17368769

Unit 2: Enterprise zones: A supply side policy

One of the major drawbacks of supply side policies is that they take time to have an efffect on the economy. This Sky clip shows that in spades

http://news.sky.com/home/business/article/16188250

Unit 2: The UK's largest coal mine to close?

Possibly, reports Sky

http://news.sky.com/home/business/article/16188709

a) What type of unemployment would result from this closure? Explain your answer

Unit 2: 2012 updates to the basket of goods

A nice clip from Sky where an ONS spokesman explains what the basket is all about

http://news.sky.com/home/business/article/16187767

Great data from the Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2012/mar/13/inflation-basket-goods-2012-full-list?newsfeed=true

...and a BBC article

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17350861

Unit 1: The price of eggs

Interesting clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17336478

a) Using a S&D diagram, explain why the price of eggs has risen

Unit 2: Policies to promote economic growth

Fantastic post from tutor2u that could be used for excellent evaluation

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-2-macro-policies-to-drive-economic-recovery?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:19:24:51Z

Unit 2: Unemployment data by ethnicity

Great data from the BBC

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2012/mar/09/black-unemployed-young-men

and Ch4

http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16185997

Unit 2: Barriers to trade in China

Here's an example of a potential barrier to trade in China

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17297006

a) To what extent would this policy be likely to improve China's Balance of Payments position?

Unit 1: Externalities arising from fracking

The highly debatable method of extracting natural gas known as fracking is heading to Ireland, according to Aljazeera

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDM9HI7NTdw

a) What are the private costs and private benefits of such a scheme?
b) What are the positive and negative externalities of such a scheme?
c) What role does regulation have in this industry?

Unit 1 Smoking's decline over the past 50 years

A post from tutor2u including a Ch4 video clip, and historical interviews by the BBC

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-1-micro-50-years-of-anti-smoking-campaigns-and-awareness?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:21:17:24Z

a) What actions have ben introduced to reduce smoking?
b) Comment on the success of these mesures in reducing the consumptoion of this demarit good

Unit 2: How to increase the Aggregate Supply/Potential output of a country

A typical answer would be to have a supply side policy to improve the skills of the workforce.

This worrying clip from the BBC suggests the skills required by a lot of workers are fairly basic

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17229792

and

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17224600

a)How would increasing the numeracy skills of a country's workforce increase the potential output /AS of a country?

Unbit 1: Why has the price of petrol risen again to an all time high?

Because of factors effecting supply, according to this BBC clip

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17234745 video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17231140 article

and Sky

http://news.sky.com/home/business/article/16180946

Unit 3: Competition: Market share in the coffee and supermarket markets

Good data on

coffee market http://www.channel4.com/news/wake-up-and-smell-the-rise-of-the-coffee-shop-in-britain

and supermarkets http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/gcse-economics/comments/delicious-data-supermarket-market-share

Unit 2: Eurozone unemployment rises again

From the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17219160

a) Assess how much of a problem unemployment is for the UK in the light of the data

Unit 1: Increasing demand for nail bars

....according to this clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17204558

a) Using the list of the determinants of demand, explain the increase in demand for nail bars

Unit 2: Emigration: a cost of unemployment

....has returned to Ireland with a vengance according to Aljazeera

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLksP0pDPsI

Unit 1: Changing demand for biscuits

.....according to the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17188227

a) Using demand diagrams and the list of determinants of demand, explain the changing demand for biscuits in the UK

Unit 1: Negative externalities on the Neath Road, Swansea

......according to the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-17177021

a) What are the negative externalities experienced on the road and by who?
b) What actions have already been taken to reduce the negative externalities and how successful have they been?
c) Assess the likely success of the new proposals

Unit 1: Wage rates in the UK

Great data from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-1-micro-highest-and-lowest-paid-jobs-in-the-uk

a) Using S&D analysis, explain the difference in these wage rates

Unit 1: Evaluating a government measure on alcohol

Great video from the BBC evaluating the likey success of the "no selling alcohol at below cost price" measure due to be introduced soon

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17137361 video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-17131232 article

Unit 2: Macro videos from the ONS: Youth unemployment

Thanks for tutor2u for pointing me in the direction of the ONS video channel

This is really good on youth unemployment

http://www.youtube.com/user/onsstats#p/u/0/snSlT_3DUq4

a) How much of a problem is youth unemployment in the UK?

Unit 1: Evaluating alternative policies to reduce the negative externalities from alcohol

Two excellent posts from tutor2u, the first with 10 posible solutions to evaluate and the second with some moreinformation on actions already tried

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/10-solutions-to-binge-drinking
which appears to be a summary of theis BBC article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16466646 and then
http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/drink-drink-more-drink1

Unit 2: Japan's current account defecit

.......as got worse says

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17093255 the BBC
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2012/02/20122204728418987.html Aljazeera

a) Using the "evaluation " criteria we have gone through, comment on how much of a problem this deficit is for Japan

Unit 2: Is a high gdp per capita a good indicator of the sol in a country?

Not according to this BBC Panorama video

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01c2y2b

Unit 1: Negative externalities from gold mining in Nigeria

From the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16938914

a) State the negative externality and explain why it is a negative externality
b) What actions could the government take to reduce the negative externalities
c) How successful are such policies likely to be?

Unit 2: Is quantitative easing working?

An interesting argument from Ch4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3IIcdCV2Xo&feature=player_embedded#!

Unit 1: Public goods videos

Thanks to tutor2u for these links to video clips illustrating public goods

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-1-micro-public-goods-news-clips

Unit 2: How does quantitative easing work?

Fantastic video fro the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16974497

Unit 1: Will the EU tradable permit scheme work?

Not if Countries refuse to participate as in the case of China, according to the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16901106

and a wider summary of the issue from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/china-bans-its-airlines-from-paying-eu-carbon-tax

a) What actions could the EU take to ensure that all airlines participate in the scheme, and how likely are they to take such actions?

Unit 1: Should we tax carbon?

Great collection of videos from tutor2u on the topic

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-3-micro-video-resources-on-carbon-taxation

a) Using a diagram, explain how a tax on carbon would reduce the market failure
b) Using information from the video and what we've covered in the lesson, comment on how likely such a tax is likely to be in reducing the market failure

Unit 1: Is there information failure in the alcohol market?

The government evidently believes so as it launches this new public information campaign

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16893933 video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16869618 article

Unit 2: Investment: RR opens a new manufacturing plant in Singapore

Nice clip from the BBC showing what investment actually is

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16865720

a) What effect would this investment have on UK GDP?

Unit 2: Comparing China and the USA: Data

Thanks to tutor2u for pointing me to this

http://www.mint.com/blog/trends/u-s-a-vs-china-122011/?display=wide

a) Giving resons, explain which country you would rather live in for the next 20 years

Unit 1: Actions to reduce market failure in the cigarette Market: Vending machine ban

It's coming in to force in Wales reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-16813794

a) To what extent do you believe this piece of legislation will reduce the market failure in the cigarette market?

Unit 2: Comparative inflation data Jan 2012

....fron anforme

http://www.anforme.co.uk/blog/?p=2496

Unit 1: Why regulate a free market?

This BBC clip suggests why the vodka market needs regulating

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-16760295

Unit 2: The problems of youth unemployment

...as seen in the UK and Australia (thanks to tutor2u for the links to Al Jazeera)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Roaeu6MO43w&feature=player_embedded UK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrE-MTzPJOA&feature=player_embedded Australia

and a report from the BBC at Davos on the issue

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16774301

Unit 2: Spain's unemployment up to 22,8%

....and it's much worse if you're below 25 reports the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-16754600

Unit 2: GDP falls in the last quarter of 2001

Key info from Sky, including a video explaining what GDP is half way down the page in case you've forgotten!

http://news.sky.com/home/business/article/16156088 Sky video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16715080 BBC article
http://www.channel4.com/news/recession-fears-as-economy-shrinks Ch4 article
http://www.channel4.com/news/why-is-britains-economy-shrinking Ch4 article

a) What is the cause of the fall in UK GDP?
b) What implications will this fall have for the UK economy?

Unit 2 Japan records its first trade deficit in 30 years

...reports

http://news.sky.com/home/business/article/16156286 Sky
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16712816 BBC

a) Comment on whether this deficit represents a problem for the Japanese economy

Unit 1: how good is legislation at reducing negative externalities?

You decide

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-16682596

a) What is the negative externality in the clip?
b) Why is it a negative externality?c0 Use a diagram to explain how the market fails with this externality
d) Using information from the clip, discuss the extent to which legislation is effective in reducing the negative externality

Unit : Supply side policies: The importance of apprenticeships

...according to Nick Clegg on a visit to Cambridge (Thanks to CEN for the video)

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/Deputy-Prime-Minister-gets-a-taste-for-bricklaying-19012012.htm

Unit 2: What is expansionary monetary polkicy, and will it boost growth?

A great, evaluative summary from economicshelp

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/4886/monetary-policy/expansionary-monetary-policy/

Unit 1: Should solar energy be subsidised?

Lots to think about in this presentation from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-3-micro-the-economics-of-solar-subsidies

a) Given the information, discuss whether subsidising solar energy is a good use og government finance

Unit 1: Information failure with processed meats?

Thanks to tutor2u for these links

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16526695 BBC article
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDKHlh_egRE&feature=player_embedded Al Jazeera video

a) To what extent do you believe there is information failure in the processed meat market?
b) What actions could the government take to reduce this market failure?
c) To what extent do you believe such measures would lead to a reduction in the market failure?

Unit 2: What does the inflation figure mean?

Well, it hides a large variety of different price movements as shown by this BBC article

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16535721

Unit 2: Interest rate data

All the graphs you could want from economicshelp

http://feeds.feedburner.com/EconomicsBlog?format=xml

Unit 2: Unemployment to a 17 year high

....reports

http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16151331 Sky video
http://blogs.channel4.com/faisal-islam-on-economics/britain-will-have-to-buck-history-to-stop-unemployment-spiking-above-10-per-cent/15950 Ch4 video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16608394 BBC article and graph

But remember the national picture will be an average; things look better in Cambridge

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge/Unemployment-falls-in-Cambridge-bucking-national-trend-19012012.htm CEN

Unit 2: Inequality data for US and UK

....from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16545898

Unit 1/2: Productivity/Specialisation videos

Some great videos from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-2-macro-videos-on-productivity?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:08:46:56Z

Unit 2: What influences the level of consumption?

Watch this BBC vox pop

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16525438

a) So what influences Consumtion spending?

Unit 2: Crossrail; an example og Government spending

Fantastic clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16289051

Unit 1: Exercise on information failure/smoking

Thanks to Richard Young for this

http://bizeconict.co.uk/?p=356 questions and data
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/239800.php report

Unit 1: Negative externalities of closing a landfill site

Great clip from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16496212

a) Explain the negative externalities likely to result from this closure
b) Discuss alternative strategies open to the Mexican gGovernment to reduce the market failure

Unit 2: GDP v GDP per capita

As brazil overtakes the UK to rank as the 6th largest economy in the world, it's not the same story when you look at GDP per capita

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-2-macro-brazil-overtakes-uk-in-economic-size?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:09:36:59Z

a) Explain why not

Unit 2: HS2: An example of government expenditure with a multiplier effect?

The biggest single construction project for years according to the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16482412 video

....with a multiplier effect, says this article

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16467903

a) What is the size of the multiplier efect suggested by the article?
b) Explain how this multilier effect will come about

Unit 2: What determines the level of Investment?

This tutor2u article more than likely goes too far for OCR AS, but I like it!

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-2-macro-factors-driving-business-investment

Unit 2: The role of consumer confidence on Consumption

Thanks to tutor2u for this clear explanation

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/hopes-and-fears-2012?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:07:32:19Z

Unit 1: Natural disasters and their effect on economies

Thanks to tuto2u for pointing out this resource

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skz0Rgchm6g&feature=player_embedded#!

a) Using a PPC diagram and words, explain the effect on the Japanese economy of the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear plant shutdown

Unit 2: Who do we trade with?

Great data from the Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2010/feb/24/uk-trade-exports-imports

Unit 2: What's the limitation of GDP per capita?

Planet money explains all

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2012/01/10/144914762/why-gdp-per-capita-can-start-a-bar-fight?ft=1&f=93559255

Unit 1: High speed rail and externalities

HS2 has been given the go-ahead, but not everyone is happy

http://news.sky.com/home/politics/article/16145716 Sky

a) What are the positive and negative externalities associated with the project?

Unit 1: Negative externalities from metal theft

Thanks to tutor2u for this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MDfoX6E4IeU#!

a) What are the negative externalities from metal theft, and why are they negative externalities?

Unit 1: Externalities revision

A brilliant tutor2u resource, full of theory and video examples. It goes a bit further than the OCR syllabus needs and I have labelled the diagrams differently, b ut if you want a real, in depth analysis, this is great

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-1-micro-prezi-on-the-economics-of-negative-externalities?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:01:42:13Z

Unit 1: Cuba moves towards the market system

.....according to the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16336137

Unit 1: The end of tobacco displays

....is on its way, says the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16343566 video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16342906 article

A) To what extent do you believe this measure will reduce the market failure in the tobacco market?

Unit 1: The price of peanuts

I love peanuts and so I've noticed the rising price in pubs and supermarkets. This post from tutor2u explains why

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-1-micro-supply-shortages-drive-peanut-prices-higher

Unit 1: Examples of negative externalities

.....from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/unit-1-micro-video-clips-on-negative-production-externalities

Unit 1: Negative externalities from pop concerts

A few clear examples in this BBC news story

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-16312806

a) What are the negative externalities arising from the Hyde Park concerts listed in the article?
b) Explain why these are negative externalities
c) What form of action is the government suggesting to reduce the market failure?
d) How likely is such a course of action to reduce the market failure and lead to a more socially optimum output?

Unit 2: Macro data

Economicshelp's outlook for 2012 has some great macro data charts in it

http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/4689/economics/uk-economy-2012-forecasts/

Unit 2: Falling disposable incomes and their effect on consumption

An interesting post from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/changing-consumer-behaviour-falling-incomes

Unit 1: The price of Christmas trees

Here's the annual story from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16142610

a) Using a S&D diagram, explain the increase in tree prices. Hint: Think carefully about how you draw the supply curve!

Unit 2: The costs of youth unemployment

A fine article from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16156849