Yesterday, I had a chance to use economics in a practical way. My previous fixed rate mortgage deal came to an end. This means the bank would return my mortgage rate to the Standard variable rate, which is currently 4.99% (4.49% points above the base rate). (monthly payments of £703) The first and most important …
According to one Bond trading firm, austerity is a con and government spending hasn’t fallen significantly. (Telegraph) Government Spending 2011-12 – £681.4bn Tax 2011-12 – £558.1bn Deficit in finances – £123.3bn Changes in government spending 2009-10 +4.6% Changes in Government spending 2010-11 +0.3% Change in government spending 2011-12 -1.5% Tulllet Prebon, a bond trading …
This years OCR F585 global economy pre-release stimulus material is about Estonia and its economic performance. This post gives a few extra graphs about the state of the Estonian economy and considers important issues and questions, related to Estonia. Brief synopsis From the early 2000s Estonia experienced rapid economic growth as it benefited from joining …
No one doubts the commitment of many in the EU to seeking a way to prevent the Euro breaking up. The Euro project is deeply embedded in the European establishment. But, are they fighting a lost cause? Are the structural problems with the single currency so severe, they would be better off pursuing an orderly …
Quick links for main economic statistics My page with graphs Main ONS dataset Useful direct links Economic growth National income acc Real GDP | % quarterly Inflation inflation series CPI annual % Unemployment Labour market ILO % Current account b of p pnbp C.A % GDP Budget deficit psf at ONS | psf at …
During the 1990s and first half of 2000, Ireland had one of the longest property booms on record. Between 1996 and 2006, the average price of second homes rose in Ireland rose by over 300%. The average price of new houses rose by 250%, according to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DoEHLG). …
This week I wrote a post about escape velocity – the idea an economy stuck in recession needs a decisive burst to escape a liquidity trap, low spending and low confidence. If an economy can return to this normal trend rate of economic growth, we can end the period of ultra low interest rates and …
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 …