Category
In the News
Piouvian Taxes - Tesco chicken supplier and pollution in the River Wye
A very localised example here of a negative production externality, with algal blooms on the River Wye being attributed to the activities of poultry producer, Avara Foods.
Retirement boom creates economic headache
The impact of more people opting for economic inactivity has implications for the economy as a whole as well as firms in specific locations. In this case, this Guardian piece looks at the area...
Business Objectives - Octopus Energy Ditches Profit to support Customers
What do think about this story? The CEO of Octopus Energy – one of the relatively new suppliers in the UK retail energy market – claims that “We could have made a profit but now’s not the time -...
Shell reports highest profits in 115 years
The announcement that Shell has made record profits of effectively $40 billion is going to fuel calls for the government to look again at the imposition of a windfall tax. Dan Niedle has some...
Economics Weekly Quiz | 03 February 2023
Here's our weekly economics news quiz.
BoE raises interest rates to 4% - the highest for 14 years
We might be getting close to the peak of interest rates during the current tightening phase for UK monetary policy. The Bank of England today lifted official base interest rates for 10th...
Tesco - Delayering and the purchase of Paperchase
Two interesting stories about Tesco - a business that many students and teachers follow for case-study gold dust!
On the day that the IMF publishes its updated growth forecasts for individual economies as well as the global economy, they also publish this. A snapshot of global economic health: highlighting...
UK Economy - Are there 3 million hidden unemployed?
Research by the think-tank Centre for Cities suggests that official unemployment figures understate the number of people who are unemployed and a distinct North-South divide in the data.
Dynamic Efficiency - Emirates Tests Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Emirates have run a test flight with one engine powered entirely by sustainable aviation fuel, as part of its commitment to developing greener fuels.
Some gloomy macro news for the UK today. The IMF has upgraded its forecasts for the global economy; UK is now only leading economy expected to contract in 2023.
Government Failure - Indian Alcohol Ban Drives Unregulated Liquor
Proof that banning goods that produce negative externalities is rarely constructive.
Economic inactivity - 1.6m UK adults over 50 unable to work
More here on the decline in the British labour force, and its macroeconomic implications. There has been a near 300,000 increase in the over-50s not working - so how are the government going to...
Is more change afoot for the UK retail grocery sector?
For the second time in recent years, FlyBe has gone into administration and ceased trading. In contrast, the low-cost carrier Wizz Air seems to be thriving and has posted over Euro 30 million in...
UK car production collapses to lowest for 66 years
Wow! 2021 was a bad year for UK car production and 2022 has proved to be even worse!
Sunk Costs - HS2 may not run through to central London
The ill-fated HS2 might be on the point of another blow - with rumours that the London end of the line might not be destined for central London but may stop in Ealing - in the suburbs.
Economics Weekly Quiz | 27 January 2023
Here's our weekly economics news quiz.
Is carbon offsetting a model with dangerous flaws?
There's nothing more painful than watching closely held opinions being challenged. But this Guardian article suggests that the carbon offsetting market is fundamentally flawed. Who would have...
Is the UK government planning to raise the pension age (again)?
The UK state pension age may rise to 68 in 2030s according to reports. Teachers of a certain age might want to look away now!