Readers Question: with economic scare, do you advise to invest? how do you predict inflation and interest rates will affect business? In the UK, interest rates have only fallen slightly since the start of the global credit crisis. The Bank of England has reduced rates from 5.75% to 5.25%. The Bank is still worried about …
Readers Question: What credit can the adoption of central bank independence take for the relative stability of the UK business cycle since 1997? The MPC, Bank of England, are responsible for setting interest rates and determining UK monetary policy. They seek to keep inflation close to the government’s target of CPI 2% +/-1 % Between …
Readers Question: Use the ideas and theories you have encountered in your study of the macroeconomic business environment to assess the possible impacts on China of holding the Olympic games in Beijing in 2008. The Olympic Games will effect the Chinese economy in the following way. Increase in Tourism. This is a short term effect …
The argument was that the poll tax was so bad that anything had to be an improvement. So with little thought, the Conservative government brought out the Council Tax. The council tax aims to introduce a degree of proportionality and fairness by charging a tax equal to the value of a house. The argument is …
Sticky inflation is an undesirable economic situation where there is a combination of stubbornly high inflation, (and often stagnant growth). Sticky inflation is often associated with cost-push factors, i.e. factors which cause a rise in the inflation rate but also lead to lower spending and economic growth. Sticky inflation is also sometimes known as Stagflation …
In many ways the economy is in a good position. The main economic indicators suggest a strong and sustainable economy, which offer good prospects for 2008. Economic growth, at 2.6% is close to the long run trend rate. Unemployment, according to JSA measure, is under 1 million. At 3% of the labour force this is …
Reader’s Question: What are the importance of economics to a business student? There is a strong overlap between business and economics. A Business student needs to take into account these various aspects of Economics. At various times I have taught Business Studies in addition to Economics. Several topics are the same. These are the key …
Despite rising ticket prices and lower government subsidies, demand for rail travel in the UK is increasing and beating all expectations. Network Rail have published statistics showing that demand for rail services has increased by nearly 45 per cent between 1996-97 and 2006-0. Annual growth is increasing by about 8%. Yet, the DTI is sticking …