An Introduction to GDP
A brief look at GDP courtesy of the IMF - but be careful! Whilst this is only an introduction, there are one or two oversights
Pollution breaches by farmers on the rise
The number of serious pollution breaches in the farming industry is growing as many farmers are unable or unwilling to meet the cost of pollution prevention.
Regional Economic Data for the UK
Here is a goldmine of the latest regional economic data for the UK - useful when teaching living standards, the labour market and much else besides!
Macro Risks: China's Addiction to Debt
The scale of debt in the (slowing) Chinese economy remains one of the biggest risks facing the global economy.
Re-making NAFTA - Possible Effects on Consumers
This Wall Street Journal video report is excellent on rules of origin and complex supply chains which affect supply costs and ultimately, prices for consumers within the free trade area.
Caveman with a Computer Resurfaces in Brexit Debate
Patrick Minford has produced a report that suggests a UK economy fully liberated from the EU stands to make significant macroeconomic gains.
Have older people stolen their children’s future?
Ian Stewart's excellent Monday Briefing is read by thousands of people each week. The latest edition considers a key issue of intergenerational equity in the wake of events in the decade since the...
Why Africa’s development model puzzles economists
A really important article to read here from the Economist especially for Year 13 students getting stuck into their development economics.
Interview with Richard Blundell
The Independent has this super interview with Professor Richard Blundell of UCL and the IFS which focuses in particular on the policy debates about how best to tackle chronically high levels of...
The materials that make up the IPhone
The value of all raw materials in an iPhone 6 (16GB) is just $1.03. These materials range from aluminium (31.1g) to hydrogen (5.5g) and chrome (4.9g).
Is telematics the future of car insurance?
Just under a million (mainly younger) drivers have a telematic device installed in their vehicle to monitor and track how they are driving. The behavioural incentive is clear - safe driving helps...
The Economics (and Politics) of Gender Quotas
Gender issues in the workplace are currently a hot topic. First, we had the furore about male and female pay at the BBC. Next, the notorious memo from a Google employee which alleged that women are...
Derived Demand - Soaring Demand for Electric Vehicle Batteries
Here is a great example of derived demand. According to this chart from the Economist, demand for vehicle batteries to charge electric vehicles could overtake that from consumer electronics as...
Teaching MC=MR with M&M’s
A terrific activity flagged up hereby Mark Johnston from King's College Auckland. Expect sales of M&M's to soar as we teach theory of the firm in the early weeks of the new school year!
Objects as money over the ages
The latest Bank of England blog has a tidy history of objects used as money over the years
Context on the importance of remittances
Remittances are an important source of external finance for many developing / emerging countries. Here is a selection of fresh background data and examples of the significance of remittances.
Rising Obesity in OECD Countries
By 2030, obesity rates may reach 47% in US, 39% in Mexico and 35% in England according to the latest Obesity Update published by the OECD.
Jason Hickel on the need for De-Growth
Anthropologist at the LSE, Jason Hickel argues in this two minute piece for Newsnight that we need to overcome our addiction to GDP.
The Credit Crunch a Decade On - Some Big Numbers
Here is a really snazzy graphic that might be used in lessons when teaching the background to and the aftermath of the credit crunch which started in earnest ten years ago.
France makes childhood vaccinations compulsory
A really interesting example to use when discussing the economic and social impact of vaccinations. In order to prevent a measles epidemic, France has just made many more vaccinations compulsory by...