Supply Crunch - Inflation to remain higher for two years, warns OECD
The OECD is forecasting higher inflation across the developed world, with the UK expected to have 3% inflation by the end of 2022, but falling inflation in a number of other economies.
Deglobalisation - The ship that broke global trade
This Bloomberg clip is a fantastic look at the impact of the Ever Given blocking the Suez Canal last March.
Will the global supply chain process lead to stagflation?
Nouriel Roubini raises the spectre of stagflation - which students and their parents - might have to look up.
Horizontal Integration - National Express in talks to buy rival Stagecoach
News here of a potential merger in the transport sector - and thus horizontal integration between National Express and Stagecoach.
Demographics and Potential Growth - British ‘baby shortage’ could lead to economic decline
The Social Market Foundation is playing the long game here, arguing that a declining birth rate is imperilling the UK's long-term prosperity.
Long term causes of the empty shelves crisis
The Guardian's Felicity Lawrence suggests that the current supply chain issues are not a short-term phenomenon and date back to technological change and shifts in working patterns.
Supply Crunch - CO2 shortages threaten meat production and frozen food supplies
The supply-chain crisis affecting the UK economy seems to be deepening. Sharp increases in world natural gas prices are said to have led to the temporary closure of some fertiliser plants the...
Sustainability and e-waste - the iPhone and planned obsolescence
John Naughton's article wonders whether, in a sustainable world, we really need to buy the latest iPhone.
Economics Weekly Quiz - 17 Sep 2021
Here's this week's economics news quiz. Which food chain announced an 11% wage increase? Which coin has been minted for the first time in 2 years? What caused the UK's sudden inflation hike? All...
Environmental Economics - Tesla co-founder has plan to recycle EV batteries
This FT clip looks at how a Tesla founder, JB Straubel, has moved into an unusual market - recycling lithium batteries.
Supply Crunch - The Maths working to solve the supply crisis
This is an excellent article that highlights the extent to which we are dependent upon mathematics to sustain our supply chain.
Electric cars - will road pricing be needed as a new source of tax revenue?
Larry Elliott looks at some of the economic implications of increased take-up of electric cars.
Principal-agent problem - Activist investor ups stake in WH Smith but backs management
Here is a good example of activist investors which is related to the principal agent problem.
Economics Weekly Quiz - 10 Sep 2021
Here's this week's economics news quiz. Which US celebrity has been criticised for promoting an untested cryptocurrency? Which coffee house announced a 5% increase in wages? Which country has said...
Externalities and the Supply Crunch
This story is a consequence of the current supply chain issues, which have limited the access of water companies to the chemicals required to treat waste water.
Tax avoidance - Amazon UK arm pays £3.8m more corporation tax despite £1.9bn sales rise
Amazon UK is only paying an extra £3.8 million in corporation tax despite a £1.9 billion increase in sales.
I love the National Audit Office. This article looks at a coruscating finding in relation to the so-called Green Homes Grant which proved a flop.
Development Economics - Can new lenders save Brazil’s struggling farmers?
This FT video clip looks at the rise of Brazil as an agricultural powerhouse, as well as the fact that small-scale farms - which represent 80% of all farms, and produce 23% of output - might be...
Environmental economics - Six problems aviation must fix to hit net zero
Here is a brilliant piece in the Observer looking at the challenges facing aviation as it looks to hit net zero.
Will the government increase national insurance to pay for social care?
It seems that the government is considering financing increased expenditure on social care by increasing National Insurance contributions.