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In the News
Behavioural nudges: Barclays introduces spending block app
Here is a behavioural nudge from Barclays that might just be a game-changer in introducing frictions into the spending choices that people make.
Carbon taxes and behavioural economics
Economists have long argued that an effective way of reducing carbon emissions is by increasing taxes on energy consumption. This year’s Noble Laureate, Bill Nordhaus, advocated a global carbon tax...
Amazon targets airport retailing for expanded Amazon Go operations
Contestable markets and mobile payment technology are in action here! Amazon is looking to expand their "bricks and mortar footprint" with a move into airport retail seemingly on the cards. But...
Why economists think UK will be poorer after leaving EU
Chris Giles from the Financial Times looks at some of the assumptions behind the recent analysis from the Treasury and the Bank of England on the likely macroeconomic impact of Brexit. He argues...
Economics Weekly Quiz - 7 December 2018
Here's this week's Economics Quiz. Good luck!
Funeral charges under the competition microscope
The Competition and Markets Authority is considering a major new investigation into rampant price inflation in the costs of funerals and crematorium services.
Takeda seeks takeover of Shire
This is a massive merger story - the largest in Japan - as Takeda gets shareholder approval for a £46bn takeover of pharmaceutical company, Shire. The new company will be one of the largest 10 in...
Qatar leaves OPEC
Qatar has announced that they are leaving the OPEC oil cartel and focusing instead on expanding investment and production in natural gas. Qatar has the third largest known natural gas reserves in...
Madrid bans polluting cars from the city centre
Another solution to urban congestion problems is being rolled out in Madrid today: only zero emissions cars are going to be allowed to travel in the city centre, with various exceptions for lorries...
External costs of fast fashion
How can retailers sell T-shirts and dresses at rock bottom prices? Well, in the first place because they're made in bulk in places with exceptionally low wages - and similarly low H&S standards...
Why are economics textbooks so expensive?
A short video exploring some of the reasons for rapid inflation in the price of college textbooks in the United States - but an issue with wider appeal to students here! The textbook industry is an...
Deforestation in Brazil is the worst for ten years
Between August 2017 and July 2018, approximately 7,900 square kilometers (3,050 square miles) of rainforest in Brazil was destroyed equivalent to an area of a million football pitches or five times...
Economies of Ale - Changes to the UK Pub Industry
More than 11,000 pubs have closed in the UK in the last decade – a fall of almost a quarter. Many smaller pubs have closed as the industry has consolidated towards the larger-scale chains. The ONS...
Human development - why do billions still lack basic sanitation?
This BBC article highlights an oft-overlooked aspect of development: the need for basic sanitation. Over 2 billion people lack access to basic toilets, despite technological advances in toilets...
Kenya banned plastic bags - should the UK do the same?
Remarkably, Kenya has the world's most stringent legislation banning plastic bags - but has it worked? This BBC clip investigates, looking at a range of issues, the impact on a variety of...
Economics Weekly Quiz - 23 November 2018
Here's this week's Economics Quiz. Good luck!
Economics Weekly Quiz - 16 November 2018
Here's this week's Economics Quiz. Good luck!
Monopsony power - should car washes be licenced?
This is an interesting article, because it counters the prevailing wisdom. For the most part, we talk about removing regulation - i.e. deregulation - to increase efficiency. However, in this case...
Should people be paid for donating blood?
If you want an ethical issue to discuss, then this might be it? Should we pay people for donating blood. This raises all sorts of concerns - there's clearly an opportunity cost for donors, but...
Why have so many pubs closed?
Back in the mists of time, an exam Data Response question looked at whether the government should intervene to protect Britain's pubs from closure. This is the perfect example of why such a policy...