Rail Privatisation Failure – Why we pay more for TrainsWatch this video on YouTube In the Victorian age, the UK led the world in building railways, it was an invention that changed the world. But, by the 1980s, the state owned British Railways was the butt of jokes, stale sandwiches, declining passengers and closed lines. …
The UK housing market is in crisis, with prices eight times median incomes. The latest idea to be floated is the return of government-backed 99% mortgages. The logic is that since house prices are out of reach for many, a 99% mortgage would enable more to be able to buy without waiting the 19 years …
In 1979, Mrs Thatcher was elected Prime Minister of the UK. At the time, the UK was experiencing double-digit inflation, trades unions were powerful and there were signs British industry was becoming increasingly uncompetitive. Mrs Thatcher introduced revolutionary economic policies which had a deep impact on the UK economy. They were characterised by a belief …
Greed Inflation is a term used to describe a higher inflation rate due to firms increasing their profit margins. In a period of high inflation, it becomes easier for firms to slip in rising profit margins too. Greed inflation is more likely in markets where firms have a degree of monopoly power and they can …
Definition – Demand is price inelastic when a change in price causes a smaller percentage change in demand. It occurs where there is a price elasticity of demand (PED) of less than one. Goods which are price inelastic tend to have few substitutes and are considered necessities by users. Diagram of price inelastic demand For …
Trickle down economics is a term used to describe the belief that if high-income earners gain an increase in salary, then everyone in the economy will benefit as their increased income and wealth filter through to all sections in society. How the trickle-down effect may work in theory If the richest gain an increase in …
The Luddite fallacy is the mistaken belief that new technology leads to higher overall unemployment in the economy. New technology may cause disruption and some workers to lose their job, but the improved technology will also create jobs in other sectors of the economy – balancing out any jobs lost. Historical background In the early …
Profit-push inflation is when firms use their market power to put up prices, contributing towards inflation. It is a form of cost-push inflation. Profit-push inflation is sometimes known as ‘greed inflation’ and is related to price gouging. Profit push inflation is not the primary cause of inflation, but it can accelerate existing inflationary pressures. Profit-push …