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Iris Tilea

UK unemployment falls by 125,000 - 1 views

news.uk.msn.com/...unemployment-falls-by-125000-4

unemployment falls UK

shared by Iris Tilea on 15 Apr 14 - No Cached
  • UK unemployment falls by 125,000
  • Communications giant EE added to the good news by announcing 1,000 new jobs, on top of 400 new positions planned by TNT Post.
  • But 1.4 million people are in part-time jobs because they cannot find full-time work, a fall of 29,000 over the latest quarter but 46,000 higher than a year ago.
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • The jobless total was 2.34 million in the final quarter of last year, down by 125,000, giving a rate of 7.2%, while t he number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance dipped to 1.22 million in January, down by 27,000.
  • Employment now stands at more than 30 million, a rate of 72.1%, which is 0.6% higher than a year ago.
  • More than 900,000 young people are still unemployed and over 250,000 young people have been unemployed for over a year.
  • "Under-employment is now a bitter reality for millions of struggling families across the UK."
  • "Today's figures also show working people facing a cost-of-living crisis are over £1,600 a year worse off since David Cameron became Prime Minister.
  • the latest unemployment figures showed that the UK had a strong and flexible labour market, adding: " However, there are signs that the pace of improvement in the jobs market is slowing down. Although youth unemployment has fallen, the jobless level among 16 to 24-years-olds still stands at 917,000, which is far too high.
  • "Many people are also still working part-time, as they are unable to gain full-time employment."
dgeorgiev15

BBC News - UK new car sales highest since 2007, SMMT says - 0 views

www.bbc.co.uk/...business-25632668

shared by dgeorgiev15 on 07 Jan 14 - No Cached
  • UK car sales in 2013 recorded their best year since 2007
  • attractive financing deals have tempted buyers
  • three-quarters of sales to private buyers now involving some kind of financing package.
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • Most cars built in the UK are exported.
  • Thousands of new jobs were created in the industry as both Jaguar Land Rover and Bentley expanded their operations in the UK.
  • UK economic activity holds up well through 2014 and beyond
Dursun N1

BBC News - UK construction growth fastest since August 2007 - 1 views

www.bbc.co.uk/...business-25201692

shared by Dursun N1 on 04 Dec 13 - No Cached
  • UK construction growth fastest since August 2007
  • UK construction picked up speed in November with output rising at the fastest pace in more than six years.
  • "Construction activity continues to spring back to life during the final months of 2013."
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • Last week, official data showed the sector grew at 1.7% in the third quarter compared with the previous quarter.
  • UK could soon recover the ground lost during the crisis: "These survey indicators are suggesting something like a 1% rise in GDP
  • If this sort of pace can be continued into 2014, then the level of UK output will have risen above its pre-crisis peak by next summer."
  • Victorita Paun on 12 Dec 13
     
    Good choice of article. Make sure you can use the information it provides is enough to supply 750 words of analysis and evaluation.
Andrei Vacarus

More signs Abenomics is working as Japan prices, output rise | Reuters - 1 views

uk.reuters.com/...-economy-idUKBRE97T04U20130830

shared by Andrei Vacarus on 16 Apr 14 - No Cached
  • core consumer prices posted their biggest rise in nearly five years, unemployment fell to its lowest since late 2008, factory output rose and is expected to rise further, and workers' incomes rose.
  • The core-core inflation index, which excludes food and energy prices and is similar to the core index used in the United States, was down 0.1 percent in the year to July, a slower pace of decline than June's 0.2 percent fall.
  • Household spending edged up in the year to July as the feel-good sentiment prompted consumers to eat out more and spend more on travel and leisure.
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • As the economy strengthens, the debate is focused on whether to double the tax in two stages or increase it more gradually, rather than whether or not to increase the tax.
  • Wage-earners' incomes also rose an annual 1.3 percent in July, increasing for the fifth straight month.
  • And the jobless rate improved for the second straight month to hit 3.8 percent in July, the lowest since October 2008.
  • e Bank of Japan have gambled on massive fiscal and monetary stimulus to spark life into the economy,
  • strengthening the case for a planned sales tax increase.
  • Pessimists have argued that the benefits of "Abenomics," a three-pillar strategy of fiscal and monetary stimulus combined with a long-term growth strategy, may be short-lived and won't prompt companies to spend more on investment and wages.
  • The Bank of Japan has a target of lifting inflation to 2 percent in about two years, a goal many analysts see as optimistic given the deflation that has dogged the economy.
azuccolo15

BBC News - No change on North Lincolnshire housing grant ban for smokers - 1 views

www.bbc.co.uk/...uk-england-humber-25154871

shared by azuccolo15 on 09 Dec 13 - No Cached
  • A council has said it will not change its policy on refusing housing grants to tenants who smoke, despite spending just 10% of the available budget
  • North Lincolnshire Council is responsible for distributing government money to help people affected by the removal of the spare room subsidy
  • The change in housing benefit rules was introduced in April and has been dubbed the "bedroom tax" by Labour
  • ...5 more annotations...
  • The authority's payment ban also applies to social housing tenants who subscribe to satellite television channels
  • Under the changes, 14% is deducted from housing benefit for people with one spare bedroom, and a quarter for two or more.
  • The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides £25m per year in Discretionary Housing Payments to allow local authorities to provide support for tenants affected by the change.
  • "If their spending includes satellite television. If it includes smoking then what we say to you is we can't give you extra taxpayers' money to support you to continue to make those life choices.
  • He said: "I find it quite shocking that the council are saying they're not going to use the money to support people if they happen to be in a contract for satellite TV, which they might have taken before the bedroom tax came in to effect, or they are smokers
  • Victorita Paun on 11 Dec 13
     
    Good article for externalities! Enough room for commenting on the underlying economic concepts.
  • azuccolo15 on 06 Jan 14
     
    MLA Citation: "No Change on North Lincolnshire Housing Grant Ban for Smokers." BBC News. BBC, 2 Dec. 2013. Web. 12 Dec. 2013. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-25154871 This article best applies to the microeconomics section of this course. To be more specific, it is a good example of negative externalities and how governments try to combat them, as well as the idea of subsidies.
Dorottya Szocs

BBC News - Pace picks up for British industry and car production - 1 views

www.bbc.co.uk/...business-25030372

shared by Dorottya Szocs on 03 Dec 13 - No Cached
  • UK car production in October rose at the fastest pace so far this year, and British industrial output is at its highest since 1995, organisations have reported.
  • The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said the number of cars built in October was up 17% from 2012.
  • The growth was largely driven by demand for cars to sell in Britain rather than for export, the SMMT said. It reported 160,854 cars were built in the UK last month, with demand being driven by cheap finance deals and rising consumer confidence.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • "UK car manufacturing for the home market increased strongly in October," said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes. "With European demand showing early signs of recovery, we expect production to continue positively in the coming months."
  • Alan Cheung on 12 Dec 13
     
    Relevant, but I am just afraid you may not have enough to complete 750 words.
Vicky Kalfayan

BBC News - Cycling gets £94m push in England - 1 views

www.bbc.co.uk/uk-23657010

shared by Vicky Kalfayan on 04 Dec 13 - No Cached
  • A number of English cities and national parks are to share a £94m cash injection to promote cycling.
  • The money is to improve existing and fund new cycle routes. The government says it also wants to cut red tape to facilitate cyclist-friendly planning.
  • "a cycling revolution".
  • ...14 more annotations...
  • This government wants to make it easier and safer for people who already cycle as well as encouraging far more people to take it up and business, local government, developers, road users and the transport sector all have a role to play in helping to achieve this."
  • The government has also announced a feasibility study to look at creating a new national cycleway
  • Ministers hope to emulate nationwide the popularity of cycling in London - where the number of cyclists has doubled over the past 10 years, according to one estimate.
  • "Far more people prefer to drive, walk or catch the bus - in fact government statistics show that in 2012, just 2% of journeys in Britain were by bike."
  • "This is fantastic news for those living in the succe
  • this level of investment must be maintained and extended to all parts of the UK, including rural areas."
  • urge MPs of all parties to speak up for cycling in Parliament in September, calling for the funding needed to transform Britain's streets into a continental-style Cycletopia,"
  • "We now
  • he said.
  • "No amount of cynical spin from David Cameron will make up for the fact that, immediately on taking office, he axed Cycle England, the Cycle Demonstration Towns scheme and the annual £60m budget to support cycling that he inherited.
  • "Since then he has axed targets to reduce death
  • s and serious injuries on our roads, reduced traffic enforcement,
  • cut the THINK!
  • "Tragically the number of cyclist deaths are now at a five-year high, reversing the progress that was starting to be made,
  • Alan Cheung on 13 Dec 13
     
    You may not use this article since I've used it in class. Must find your own.
Giovanni Perini

BBC News - Under-age drinking crackdown called for - 3 views

www.bbc.co.uk/...health-25047079

shared by Giovanni Perini on 06 Dec 13 - No Cached
  • Under-age drinking crackdown called for
  • Over a four-year period, just 16 people were convicted in the UK of buying alcohol for a child, it added.
  • The Institute of Alcohol Studies said tackling irresponsible shop promotions and minimum pricing would better tackle the UK's drinking problem.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • "The real way to tackle to the problem of drinking in the UK is to address the bigger issues, such as pricing, through policies such as minimum unit pricing," she added.
  • Alan Cheung on 12 Dec 13
     
    This is a good article. There should be plenty to analyse and evaluate.
Vicky Kalfayan

BBC News - South West agricultural labour shortage fears - 1 views

www.bbc.co.uk/...uk-england-25181268

shared by Vicky Kalfayan on 04 Dec 13 - No Cached
  • Members of the horticultural industry in the South West fear labour shortages when Romania and Bulgaria become full members of the EU next year.
  • The Home Office said it wanted to encourage more recruitment from the UK.
  • For the past 10 years, Romanians and Bulgarians have been employed on farms as pickers under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (Saws), which allowed them to work for six months.
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • But when both countries become full members of the EU, they will be allowed to work in any British sector.
  • James Hosking, from Fentongollan flower farm in Cornwall, said before Saws was introduced the biggest problem for local growers was recruiting a sufficient number of pickers.
  • "In two or three year's time, we'll be back to where we were 10 years ago when we were all screaming that we couldn't get enough labour."
  • Romanians and Bulgarians account for about a third of the UK's seasonal farm workers.
  • The National Farmers' Union (NFU) said scrapping Saws would cause long term damage to the sector.
  • I can't get enough. The sad reality is that the majority don't want to get their hands dirty," he said.
  • "Nationality, colour, creed and gender really doesn't matter to me - I need pairs of hands and enthusiasm," he added.
  • Alan Cheung on 13 Dec 13
     
    Interesting article, but more relevant to macroeconomics.
Dursun N1

BBC News - UK unemployment falls by 125,000 to 2.34 million - 0 views

www.bbc.com/...business-26255696

shared by Dursun N1 on 16 Apr 14 - No Cached
  • UK unemployment falls by 125,000 to 2.34 million
  • The number of people out of work in the UK fell by 125,000 to 2.34 million
  • The unemployment rate now stands at 7.2%
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • Latest estimates show that 193,000 more people were in work between October and December, compared to the previous three months.
  • Dursun N1 on 16 Apr 14
     
    Macroeconomics Article
Andrei Vacarus

BBC News - UK inflation falls to 1.6% in March - 0 views

www.bbc.com/...business-27033602

shared by Andrei Vacarus on 16 Apr 14 - No Cached
  • The UK inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) fell to 1.6% in March from 1.7% in February, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
  • The rate of Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation also fell to 2.5% from 2.7%.
  • A smaller rise in the prices of clothing and footwear, compared with last year, also contributed to the drop in the inflation rate.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • Average total earnings, including bonuses, rose 1.4% in the three months to January compared with a year earlier, according to ONS figures released last month. Excluding bonuses, wages grew by 1.3%.
dgeorgiev15

BBC News - UK unemployment falls by 63,000 to 2.33 million - 1 views

www.bbc.com/...business-26644758

shared by dgeorgiev15 on 15 Apr 14 - No Cached
  • number of people out of work in the UK fell by 63,000 to 2.33 million
  • unemployment rate now stands at 7.2%
  • 211,000 more people were recorded as self-employed
  • ...10 more annotations...
  • the growing economy is helping record numbers of people to find a job
  • The rise in employment is being fuelled by businesses and entrepreneurs across the country who are feeling increasingly confident with the improving economy
  • long-term economic plan is working
  • pensions secretary Rachel Reeves disagreed, saying "long-term youth unemployment has doubled
  • rise in employment was down to the increase in the number of self-employed
  • while youth unemployment had gone down, the rate was "still nearly three times the rate of unemployment as a whole
  • Earnings "remain below inflation"
  • North East of England has the highest unemployment rate in the UK, at 9.5%
  • South East, where the rate is lowest, only 5.2%
  • MPC members voted earlier this month to keep interest rates at 0.5%
Giovanni Perini

UK workers set for first real pay rise for four years | Business | theguardian.com - 1 views

www.theguardian.com/...first-real-pay-rise-four-years

shared by Giovanni Perini on 15 Apr 14 - No Cached
  • UK workers set for first real pay rise for four years
  • Wage increases are finally expected to overtake inflation when prices and job figures are released this week
  • Economists believe inflation ticked down to 1.6% in March from 1.7% in February while annual wage growth is thought to have been 1.8% in the three months to February
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • The thinktank expects the unemployment rate to have dropped to 7% in the three months to February
  • This week's official data may show that the squeeze on real pay is now over.
  • "That said, falling real incomes didn't get in the way of robust consumer spending growth over the last year. Household spending growth outpaced income growth as consumers saved less (or borrowed more)
  • "Earnings growth moving above consumer price inflation would also be a very welcome development for the government given Labour's focus on the cost of living.
  • Philip Shaw, economist at Investec, expects CPI to come in at 1.5%, which would be the lowest rate since October 2009, and he forecasts it will stay relatively low.
  • However we are keeping an eye on wholesale food prices – note that wheat prices (in sterling terms) are up 9.5% so far this year, while corn is 17% higher," he said.
anonymous

BBC News - Cumbria County Council proposes cutting bus subsidies - 1 views

www.bbc.co.uk/...uk-england-cumbria-25138484

shared by anonymous on 03 Dec 13 - No Cached
  • save £1.9m per year.
  • Forty-three daytime services, 17 evening services and 10 Sunday services receive subsidies - about 5% of the total services across the county.
  • 7p per passenger in subsidies while others cost more than £12 per person, according to council figures.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • £22,000 per year.
  • Alan Cheung on 12 Dec 13
     
    Relevant, but I am afraid you make take some of the information already presented in the article as your own evaluation.
anonymous

UK Interest Rates Will Hit 2.6% By 2017, says E&Y - 0 views

www.ibtimes.co.uk/ill-hike-base-rate-2-6-1444642

shared by anonymous on 15 Apr 14 - No Cached
  • The Bank of England will hike its base interest rate from its record low to 2.6% within three years
  • Bank's ultra-loose monetary policy to keep markets liquid and the cost of credit down, therefore boosting the economy by supporting lending to businesses and consumers.
  • forecasts that the BoE base rate will rise to 0.7% in 2015 before hitting 1.6% in 2016 and spiking again to 2.6% in 2017.
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • It is currently at its record-low of 0.5%
  • Ernst & Young (EY)
  • mortgage lending is on the rise again off the back of cheap credit made available
  • These mortgages are being taken out at a time of low interest rates, leaving borrowers exposed to higher repayment costs when the Bank of England lifts its base rate – and runs the risk of a wave of defaults.
  • London that will faces the biggest threat from interest rate rises because house prices in the city have soared.
  • house price in London leapt by 18.2%
Giovanni Perini

BBC News - Sheep farmers in Wales boosted by wool prices - 0 views

www.bbc.co.uk/...uk-wales-25178650

shared by Giovanni Perini on 04 Jan 14 - No Cached
  • Sheep farmers in Wales boosted by wool prices
  • 35% of wool sold by the BWMB is now exported to China, double the percentage two years ago.
  • wool is lighter because of the dry, warm weather this summer, but also we unfortunately received losses of sheep in north Wales this spring after the heavy snow there. That has also had an effect."
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • a matter simply of "supply and demand
  • getting around 33p a kilo for their wool - in the current strong market we're seeing prices at £1.08
  • Wool producers have also reported greater demand for woollen goods.
  • "Because of an increase in the demand for our products we've had to increase production, and that means we've been able to absorb the higher cost of wool.
  • "We've bought new looms, taken on more staff and are making more products".
  • "It's encouraged people to appreciate wool," he said. "It's ecologically good, it's sustainable".
  • Giovanni Perini on 04 Jan 14
     
    This article is good for analysing the effects of supply and demand, how the higher prices is getting more people employed and the effects from there, as well as positive externalities of consumption and production because wool is ecologically good.
  • Alan Cheung on 06 Jan 14
     
    Yes, this article works as you stated. You'll have to explain carefully what ecologically good means when making connections to externalities.
Iris Tilea

BBC News - Mexico passes 'junk food tax' reform - 1 views

www.bbc.co.uk/...world-latin-america-24766027

shared by Iris Tilea on 03 Dec 13 - No Cached
  • tax reform bill imposing new levies on junk food and soft drinks.
  • aims to boost government revenue by increasing top earners' income tax.
  • extra cash will go on infrastructure and social security
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • Mexico recently surpassed the United States as the country with one of the highest obesity rates in the world.
  • 32.8% of adult Mexicans are obese, compared to 31.8% of Americans.
  • The law imposes a levy of 8% on junk food, after the Senate increased it from the 5% originally proposed; and creates a tax of one peso ($0.07; £0.04) on every litre of soft or sugary drinks.
  • The legislators also passed a controversial hike in value added tax (VAT) for border regions, from 11% to 16%.
  • Alan Cheung on 12 Dec 13
     
    This is a good article. There should be plenty to analyse and evaluate.
Giovanni Perini

BBC News - Guernsey taxes on alcohol, tobacco and fuel to rise in budget - 2 views

www.bbc.co.uk/...world-europe-guernsey-24445235

shared by Giovanni Perini on 06 Dec 13 - No Cached
  • Guernsey taxes on alcohol, tobacco and fuel to rise in budget
  • The increases will add 21p to a packet of 20 cigarettes, 40p to a typical bottle of spirits and 2.3p to a litre of petrol.
  • The income tax allowance is to rise by less than inflation, meaning an increase of £11.20 a year in income tax per wage earner, relative to the Retail Prices Index.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • As well as a permanent increase in the value of the bands determining the rate of duty to be paid, there will also be a temporary reduction of the rates paid on the lower bands.
  • Alan Cheung on 12 Dec 13
     
    Topic wise, this is no different than your previous article. I think the previous one is more focused.
Valeriu Moraru

BBC News - Brazil's economy shrinks 0.5% in the third quarter - 1 views

www.bbc.co.uk/...business-25200934

shared by Valeriu Moraru on 04 Dec 13 - No Cached
  • Brazil's economy shrinks 0.5% in the third quarter
  • Brazil's economy fell into contraction in the third quarter, with output shrinking by more than analysts had forecast, according to official state figures.
  • The Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) said that Brazil's economy shrank by 0.5% in the quarter, compared to the previous one. Analysts had expected Brazil's economy to shrink by just 0.2%.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • Andre Perfeito, chief economist at Gradual Investimentos, said he would lower his projections for next year to 2.4% or 2.5% from 2.7%.
  • "It shows that we were not able to grow despite various economic stimulus measures," he added.
  • Victorita Paun on 12 Dec 13
     
    This article lends itself to International Economics topic than Micro-economics. Perhaps not a good choice for this particular IA.
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