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In the News
Will the UK government introduce a vape tax?
The UK government is set to introduce a new tax on vapes in a bid to curb growing use by teenagers. This follows taxes introduced in Germany and Italy. Will a tax on imported vapes work? What are...
Economic mess deepens in Nigeria
This article looks at the current state of the Nigerian economy - with inflation running at 30%, the naira having depreciated by two-thirds, with the pegging of the naira to the dollar having been...
CMA to investigate anti-competitive behaviour among leading house builders
Oh dear! It seems as though the housing market is in the crosshairs of the competition authorities, after a year-long investigation. It also appears that the outcome of this is, in some senses,...
Economics Weekly Quiz | 23 February 2024
Here's our weekly economics news quiz covering stories from the UK and global economic events of the passed 7 days.
Government Intervention - Price Cap for Online Slot Machines to be cut
There's going to be tougher regulation of online slot machines, in line with fixed odds betting terminals (FOBT), so that under-25s will be limited to a £2 stake, and older gamblers will be allowed...
NVIDIA revenues soar - has AI reached a tipping point?
AI has hit the tipping point according to the Boss of NVIDIA which dominates the market for AI chips. Profits are up 769% on the year before. The company has reported revenue of over $21 billion in...
CMA to investigate possible price collusion in baby formula milk industry
Another competition policy story with the Competition and Markets authority going to investigate baby formula manufacturers, after a preliminary report saw the price of baby formula had increased...
Has this vertical farm cracked the code for sustainable farming?
Vertical farming appears to becoming a feature of the agricultural landscape, with this BBC piece looking at a facility in Gloucestershire that is growing salad crops three times faster under...
Argentinian inflation hits more than 250% - will shock therapy work?
Ione Wells reports for the BBC from Argentina where inflation has soared to 250%. Will President Milei's shock therapy policies work? Do they risk causing even deeper short-term pain? This is a...
Economics Weekly Quiz | 16 February 2024
Here's our weekly economics news quiz covering stories from the UK and global economic events of the passed 7 days.
UK Economy Drops into Recession
The UK is in recession after the economy shrank by 0.3% in the final quarter of 2023. Overall, real GDP grew by just 0.1% last year, lagging well behind a resurgent US economy.
Monopsony Power - Supermarket giants hit farmers who want early payment with hefty fees
It seems that Australian supermarket giants, Coles and Woolworths, are exploiting a monopsony position to levy rebate charges on farmers who want early payment for their produce, raising concerns...
Uber makes first annual operating profit
This is a seismic event: Uber has, at last turned a profit. Last year's $1.8 billion operating loss has become a $1.1 billion operating profit after 14 years in operation since it was founded in...
Externalities - Dealing with the Mountain of Waste on Everest
This Business Insider clip looks at the negative externalities of waste on Mount Everest, where there's a massive issue, which is difficult to tackle at high altitudes. It looks at how one...
World's first year-long breach of key 1.5C warming limit
The EU's Climate Service has highlighted the fact that the 2015 pledge to limit long-term temperature increases to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels is already under threat and that there's need for...
Economics Weekly Quiz | 09 February 2024
Here's our weekly economics news quiz covering stories from the UK and global economic events of the passed 7 days.
Sainsbury’s reveals plans to use more robots
The robots are coming! This article highlights how Sainsbury's are contemplating job cuts, and substituting capital in favour of labour, by increasing the number of automated tills, warehouse...
Is ill-health holding back the UK economy?
The 5th of February is apparently the day that's become known as "national sickie day" but the Guardia have used it to flag up the increased rate of long-term sickness that appears to be holding...
Scotland to raise the minimum alcohol price by 30%
Has Scotland's minimum alcohol pricing policy worked? The minimum price of alcohol in Scotland is set to rise by 30% to 65p per unit, making a bottle of whisky at least £18.20 in an attempt to...
Paris Votes to Triple Car Parking Charges for SUVs
An extra intervention to address the externalties from traffic congestion. Citizens in Paris have voted to triple car parking charges for SUVs and it will be interesting to see the impact on demand.