Source ONS | NTV A possible unit 4 A Level question this summer could be: Discuss the impact of a fall in public sector investment on the UK economy? The graph shows a fall in public sector investment from 3.5% of GDP in 2008 to 1.5% in 2011. This means cuts of approximately £30bn a …
Fiscal rules are attempts by the government to limit public sector debt and annual borrowing to certain criteria. For example, a simple fiscal rule might state a government should have maximum annual deficit of 3% of GDP. Alternative, the government may plan to run zero deficit over the course of the economic cycle. Generally, economists …
Readers Question – When a war brakes out in the middle east, the price of petrol rises, and the price 0f a used Ford Falcon falls why? When a war breaks out in the middle east, there is likely to be disruption to the supply of oil. 50% of our oil comes from the middle …
The global economy faces many difficulties, both short term and long term. In the short term, the global economy risks a prolonged period of sluggish growth, which will lead to problems such as high unemployment, debt default and low investment. In the longer term, the global economy faces greater threats from the environment, demographic changes …
Readers Question: But what happens to the balance of payments in a recession? (from: What happens in a recession) In a recession, the current account is likely to show an improvement (reduction in deficit). This is because: In a recession consumer spending falls, therefore spending on imports decreases. In a recession, interest rates are cut. …
Ireland has often held up to be a model country. Firstly, in the boom years, Ireland was a model of low taxes and deregulation. It’s rapid economic growth saw praise from both sides of the Atlantic. But, after the crash, Ireland has experienced a deep fall in GDP and the model of growth proved highly …
When food prices rise in the developed world, it is an inconvenience, something to grumble about. But, when food prices rise in the developing world, it can make a difference between going hungry and getting enough to eat. Food inflation is volatile. Agricultural prices tend to fluctuate because demand and supply are both inelastic and …
The past few months have seen a rise in the US dollar. The trade-weighted index has risen from 95 in 2011 to 111 in Jan 2011. There has been a near 10% rise in the value of the dollar since July of 2014. Against the Euro, the dollar has been even stronger. One Euro was …