The absurdity of controlling inflation by adjusting interest rates
The idea that a central bank can control inflation by adjusting interest rates is shown by the evidence to be absurd.
Does an ageing population become more risk averse?
Societies become considerably more risk-averse as their average age rises, which may have important consequences such as reducing investment in the stock market or the extent of self-employment.
Are living standards in the UK getting worse?
Larry Elliott writing in the Guardian considers some of the contrasts with the decade following the Great Depression in the 1930s.
Pricing for diminishing marginal utility!
What a fantastic image to use when discussing marginal utility and the demand curve!
£10 T-Charge Comes into Force in London
As of today, a new £10 daily charge has come into force for older more toxic vehicles that drive into central London.
A Cheesy Example of Protectionism
China has lifted an import embargo on soft and mould-opened cheeses.
Australian car-making reaches the end of the road
One of the richest nations on the planet with a rich history of car manufacturing has seen the end of car-making with the closure of the Holden plant.
Development Economics: Cocoa Profits and Pension Funds
Two economic development stories relevant especially for EdExcel economics students and teachers.
Economics Weekly News Quiz - 20 October 2017
Here's this week's quiz about news stories linked to economics. Good luck!
Sunday evening TV and Victorian Economics
Sunday evening for many of us is reserved for last minute lesson prep and homework. If so you may be missing out on some brilliant Economics lessons wrapped up in an irresistible period drama. The...
50,000 deaths a year in the UK attributed to pollution
The scale of annual deaths around the world attributed to air, water and other forms of pollution is staggering. The majority are concentrated in low to middle income countries but in the UK around...
Electric cars come of age
According to this new six minute video from the Economist, electric cars will come of age in 2018.
Why bonus-based pay packages are a mess
The bonus-culture for executives is attacked in this short comment video from the FT. A good video to watch especially for the applied side of labour market economics.
The Wealth of Nations
A short video from the World Bank on why GDP does not give a true picture of the health of an economy.
OECD wants the UK to reverse Brexit
Reversing Brexit will provide a significant stimulus to the UK economy according to the new report on Britain from the OECD which claims that a negative view of the impact of Brexit has been borne...
Free market economics on trial
Ngaire Woods writes on the free market versus statist approach to economics.
Automation and the UK Labour Market
This article looks at the macroeconomic effects of automation in the labour market, with the Future Advocacy arguing that 20% of UK jobs will be under threat, and that figure rising to 40% in some...
Elasticity of Demand in Action: Sugary Drink Demand and Higher Prices
This article on (limited) research into the effects of higher prices for sugary drinks at Jamie Oliver's restaurants might be used when discussing price elasticity of demand and also the importance...
Economics: Does it Have a Problem with Women?
I'm very big on gender bias in labour markets: is the market for academic economists any different? It appears not: only around one-sixth of academic economists are female. So why is this the case?
World Bank adds two new poverty lines
The World Bank has added two new poverty lines—set at $3.20 and $5.50 a day (PPP) to join the $1.90 a day benchmark.