Monopsony: Big businesses told to speed up payments to small suppliers
In strengthening the Prompt Payment Code, the UK government seem to be striking at the monopsony power of larger firms when it comes to paying smaller suppliers.
China's economy bucks the global trend
It seems that China will be the only major economy to grow in 2020, with the data claiming that the country experienced annual growth of 2.3% last year, as a result of strict pandemic restrictions...
What is Africa's Great Green Wall?
Thus clip looks at the creation of a Great Green Wall in Africa, designed to reduce the negative externalities of desertification and offset the adverse effects of the overuse of common access...
Economics Weekly Quiz - 15 January 2021
Here's our first weekly economics news quiz for 2021.
Planet on course for “catastrophic” rise in temperatures say scientists
BBC News carried a piece last night that highlighted the fact that 2020 was one of the hottest years on record.
The fiscal multiplier of $2 trillion of stimulus spending
Here is a terrific piece in the Guardian from Professor Barry Eichengreen on whether the new Biden administration would be better spending $2 trillion on stimulus cheques to US households or use...
UK economy might be facing the darkest hour
The Governor of the Bank of England has sounded a cautionary note - suggesting that the economy is facing its "darkest hour" after the introduction of a new lockdown.
General purpose technologies and the productivity gap
One of the most depressing aspects of the decade of the 2010s, well before Covid struck, was the apparently slow growth in productivity.
Could covid-19 cause an inflation spike?
The Economist looks at the nature of inflation - starting from the premise that recent low inflation is difficult to explain in traditional theoretical terms.
In Praise of Scientists
The speed of scientific innovation seems to be accelerating sharply. And it is innovation which ultimately drives our health, wealth and well-being.
If China Builds It, Will They Come?
This is a fascinating clip looking at a joint China-Kazakhstan investment project with the building of the 'largest dry port' in the world, looking to attract investment and exploit the New Silk...
UK cannot duck covid inequalities
An IFS report highlights the fact that post-Covid the UK will need to make a genuine attempt to tackle inequality.
Illusion of the Year for 2020
A hat tip to eminent behavioural economist Dan Ariely for pointing me to this amazing optical illusion - one to show students!
Environmental economics: 39 Ways to Save the Planet
A new BBC podcast has been launched and seems perfect for students and teachers wanting to enrich their understanding of environmental economics.
Consumers spent less and saved more in 2020
Barclaycard data on spending habits is always worth a readand this year is no different.
A-Level Economics Catch Up 2021
Over 2,000 Year 13 Economists are now enrolled on A-Level Economics Catch Up 2021 - self-paced online course that supports students completing their A-Level Economics qualification in 2021 with a...
How coronavirus has rocked India's economy
The FT looks at the impact of the virus on the Indian economy which was, until recently, the fastest growing large economy in the world.
Is Trickle-Down Economics Dead?
A former US Labour Secretary, Robert Reich, drives another nail into the coffin of trickle-down economics arguing here that tax cuts for the rich don't have benefits for others, but wonders whether...
Externalities - Turning the Tide on Waste
Here are two news videos looking at innovation is helping to turn the tide on the negative externalities created by waste.
Economics Weekly Quiz - 11 December 2020
Here's the final weekly quiz for 2020 on news stories from the UK's economy. Don't forget, the quiz has a 'Classroom mode' for any teacher wishing to run the activity on a whiteboard.