With UK interest rates close to zero, who benefits from low-interest rates? In summary, the main effects of low-interest rates are: Savers will get lower interest payments on their savings. Borrowers, especially mortgage owners will see lower interest payments on their debt, increasing discretionary income. The government can borrow from the private sector at a …
Definition – Cyclical Unemployment is unemployment due to a period of negative economic growth, or economic slowdown. In a recession, cyclical unemployment will tend to rise sharply. Peaks in unemployment correspond with swings in the economic cycle. Recessions of 1981,1991/92 and 2008/09 Why unemployment rises in a recession If there are fewer orders for goods, …
Readers Question: Evaluate the significance of the factors which have contributed to globalisation. Globalisation is not a new phenomenon. The world economy has become increasingly interdependent for a long time. However, in recent decades the process of globalisation has accelerated; this is due to a variety of factors, but important ones include improved trade, increased …
UK unemployment rates since 1881. This shows the fluctuations in unemployment over the past 100 years in the UK. Measuring unemployment is not a precise science. This data mostly relies on administrative statistics on the number claiming some kind of unemployment insurance. The government is changing how unemployment is measured. You can view the pdf …
Inflation means a sustained increase in the general price level. The main two types of inflation are Demand-pull inflation – this occurs when the economy grows quickly and starts to ‘overheat’ – Aggregate demand (AD) will be increasing faster than aggregate supply (LRAS). Cost-push inflation – this occurs when there is a rise in the …
Real wage inflation means an increase in average earnings adjusted for inflation. See also: Real wages Rising real wages means an increase in living standards and greater purchasing power of consumers. In the past decade, many economies such as US and UK have witnessed stagnant real wage growth. A rise in real wages would be …
The most common method for measuring living standards is using GDP per capita. This is national income divided by population and gives a rough guide to average incomes. High real GDP per capita indicates citizens are able to purchase more goods and services. World Map of GDP per Capita GDP per Capita. Source: Source: IMF …
In the post-war period, the UK labour market has seen many fundamental changes. In particular, we have seen a decline in full-time manual labour manufacturing jobs, and a growth in labour market flexibility. The current labour market is more diverse with more people working in self-employment, part-time jobs, zero hour contracts. De-industrialisation Since the early …