Category
In the News
UK proposes plastic straw ban
A brief FT clip here looking at the proposal to ban plastic straws, drink stirrers and cotton buds, as part of a wider commitment to outlawing avoidable plastic waste by 2042. Quite how that is...
Economics Weekly Quiz - 20 April 2018
Here's this week's economics news quiz. Good luck!
UK power generation shifting away from coal
Many thanks to my student Ollie for spotting the news that the UK has just managed 55 hours without using coal for power generation, for the first time ever. Bloomberg reported on data compiled by...
Tesco Turnaround Gathers Momentum
Having experienced a turbulent few years with profits falling and the fallout from an accounting scandal, there are signs that Tesco plc is returning to financial health with with a 28 percent...
How monopsony employers keep wages down
This great pieceexplains why employers have monopsony power over employees and how the institutional features of many US labour markets have emerged to support this position.
Electrifying roads to charge vehicles!
One of the worries about electric cars is the absence of the relevant infrastructure, but this Guardian article shows how Sweden is getting around this problem. Build the infrastructure in the...
Economics Weekly Quiz - 13 April 2018
Here's this week's economics news quiz. Good luck!
Misguided sugar tax unlikely to be effective in tackling obesity
One of George Osborne’s last acts as Chancellor in 2016 was to announce the so-called sugar tax. This has now duly come into force, in line with the original timetable.
Corporate responses to social issues
Here are some recent examples of businesses responding to growing consumer awareness and concern about environmental challenges such as plastic pollution, deforestation and the sugar content of...
Pressure on the shipping industry to cut emissions
Containerisation and huge freight ships are two of the defining characteristics of globalisation. But the scale of greenhouse gas emissions from global shipping is vast and the industry is coming...
A Level & GCSE Economics Exam Board Market Shares for 2017
Here is our analysis of the DfE data which shows the number of candidates entered for A Level and GCSE Economics in England in summer 2017 and the resulting exam board market share.
Politicians of almost all persuasions have an irresistible urge to meddle. The latest example is the fanfare orchestrated just before Easter by Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary. He wrote to...
Labour markets: How useful are ratings in the Gig Economy?
Using any of the gig economy platforms gives you the chance to rate the person you have hired. This means that they can build up a reputation for their work, be it as a driver, a plumber or a...
A great short video to show in the classroom on the supposed rationality of lottery ticket buyers! The team at Business Insider tested an economic theory by trying to buy people's Powerball tickets...
Trump's Trade Wars: Round Two
After the US imposed tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium, it was inevitable that China would retaliate fast.
Fatal effects of waste dumping in Ethiopia
Living near newly built roads in Ethiopia is associated with higher rates of infant mortality, according to research by Caterina Gennaioli, to be presented at the Royal Economic Society's annual...
The Apprenticeship Levy - A Case of Government Failure?
An article here that highlights the fact the Apprenticeship Levy doesn't appear to be working. Not only does it force firms to contribute to funding such schemes, "all employers with an annual wage...
Update on the Gender Pay Gap
A brief FT summary of the gender pay gap as revealed by the UK requirement for firms with more than 250 workers to reveal their gap. As of 27th March 2018, the overall median gap is 9.9%, which...
Brexit likely to hit FDI into the UK
The UK’s departure from the EU single market may reduce the stock of foreign direct investment from Germany, France and the Netherlands by as much as 30%. That is one of the findings of research by...
What market structure best fits the music streaming market?
During our revision workshops over the last 2 weeks we have been challenging students to find the best market structure that fits the worldwide denim industry. Using data and other information...