Category
In the News
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) today announced that the UK government borrowed £34.1 billion last month - the highest December figure on record.
Economics Weekly Quiz - 22 January 2021
Here's our weekly economics news quiz.
Household debt: Workers borrowed more in 2020 to prop up incomes
An ONS study suggests that nine million UK workers had to borrow money to help them cope with lower incomes last year as a result of being furloughed or a reduction in hours.
The return of low-deposit mortgages
This personal finance story is of interest; it implies that mortgage lenders in the housing market can see the future direction of travel, after the Stamp Duty holiday ends, and are gearing up to...
The TUC, the federation of trade unions in England and Wales, highlights that in every industry where there have been job losses, BME workers have been more likely to be made unemployed.
Covid-19 speeds up the decline of cash
An increasing number of businesses are turning cashless as a result of the pandemic and the closure of many local bank branches.
Monopsony: Big businesses told to speed up payments to small suppliers
In strengthening the Prompt Payment Code, the UK government seem to be striking at the monopsony power of larger firms when it comes to paying smaller suppliers.
China's economy bucks the global trend
It seems that China will be the only major economy to grow in 2020, with the data claiming that the country experienced annual growth of 2.3% last year, as a result of strict pandemic restrictions...
What is Africa's Great Green Wall?
Thus clip looks at the creation of a Great Green Wall in Africa, designed to reduce the negative externalities of desertification and offset the adverse effects of the overuse of common access...
Economics Weekly Quiz - 15 January 2021
Here's our first weekly economics news quiz for 2021.
Planet on course for “catastrophic” rise in temperatures say scientists
BBC News carried a piece last night that highlighted the fact that 2020 was one of the hottest years on record.
The fiscal multiplier of $2 trillion of stimulus spending
Here is a terrific piece in the Guardian from Professor Barry Eichengreen on whether the new Biden administration would be better spending $2 trillion on stimulus cheques to US households or use...
UK economy might be facing the darkest hour
The Governor of the Bank of England has sounded a cautionary note - suggesting that the economy is facing its "darkest hour" after the introduction of a new lockdown.
In Praise of Scientists
The speed of scientific innovation seems to be accelerating sharply. And it is innovation which ultimately drives our health, wealth and well-being.
If China Builds It, Will They Come?
This is a fascinating clip looking at a joint China-Kazakhstan investment project with the building of the 'largest dry port' in the world, looking to attract investment and exploit the New Silk...
UK cannot duck covid inequalities
An IFS report highlights the fact that post-Covid the UK will need to make a genuine attempt to tackle inequality.
Consumers spent less and saved more in 2020
Barclaycard data on spending habits is always worth a readand this year is no different.
Economics Weekly Quiz - 11 December 2020
Here's the final weekly quiz for 2020 on news stories from the UK's economy. Don't forget, the quiz has a 'Classroom mode' for any teacher wishing to run the activity on a whiteboard.
Environmental economics - how green are electric vehicles?
How green are electric vehicles, from construction to disposing of these cars. The cobalt-lithium batteries aren't environmentally-friendly, but the cars themselves need charging - which means that...
Economics Weekly Quiz - 04 December 2020
Here's our latest weekly quiz on news stories from the UK's economy. Don't forget, the quiz has a 'Classroom mode' for any teacher wishing to run the activity on a whiteboard. Good luck!