Readers Question: How sustainable do you think that the austerity measured imposed on European countries are in economic and political terms? This is a good question. Firstly, I feel there is a certain political appeal of austerity. See: Why is austerity politically popular? When austerity was introduced, there was a reluctant support for austerity – …
Another guide to inflationary pressures is the producer price index (PPI). Producer inflation measures the price of goods produced by manufacturing firms. This is sometimes referred to as ‘factor gate prices’ In the year to February 2013 the output price index for home sales of manufactured products rose 2.3%. In the same period the total …
A new series from the ONS shows an index of labour costs per hour. (this is an experimental series and looks as if it is not seasonally adjusted) Labour costs seem to be persistently highest in Q1. Labour costs per hour are primarily comprised of 1. Wage costs per hour but also 2. Non-wage costs. …
In the late nineteenth century, firms with great monopoly power were the US railroads and oil companies. These days we have a new set of monopolies, companies like Google, Amazon. For example, Amazon has over 30% of the online retail of books and DVDs. Also, a firm with a monopoly selling power like Amazon can …
Universal credit is a new means-tested benefit, which, in October 2013, will replace several different means-tested benefits, such as: income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance income-related Employment and Support Allowance Income Support Child Tax Credits Working Tax Credits Housing Benefit. The aim of universal credit is to provide a simplified means-tested benefits system, which provides income to those …
We tend to consider the impact of immigration on our own country. – How do immigrants affect UK unemployment? UK housing? UK labour markets? and GDP (e.g. economic impact of immigration). However, the flip side of the coin, is how does migration affect developing economies? Recently, the World Bank reported that migrants working in developed …
The past few years have seen many big names on the High Street close down. Chains such as Comet, HMV, Borders, Virgin have all been victims to the recession and competition from online retailers. I was listening to a radio debate following the closure of HMV and some young girls said that usually when shopping, …
When measuring the largest / best economies, there are different ways of ranking countries. Nominal GDP in $US. This is the simplest measure and shows the actual final market value of GDP produced in the economy. It is useful for comparing levels of international trade. It uses the official exchange rate. GDP in Purchasing Power …