Contents contributed and discussions participated by Giovanni Perini - AISB IB Economics 2015

shared by Giovanni Perini on 15 Apr 14 - No Cached

UK workers set for first real pay rise for four years
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Wage increases are finally expected to overtake inflation when prices and job figures are released this week
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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
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The thinktank expects the unemployment rate to have dropped to 7% in the three months to February
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This week's official data may show that the squeeze on real pay is now over.
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"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)
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"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.
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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.
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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.
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shared by Giovanni Perini on 08 Jan 14 - No Cached

Tax on high-calorie food could bite into obesity problem
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"food that is high in calories such as fried foods ... sweets, foods made mainly with cereal, among others..."
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approved a tax of one peso (about seven-and-a-half cents) on every liter of soft drinks
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tax measures come after Mexico jumped ahead of the United States to claim first place in a list of most-obese nations
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the average Mexican drinks 163 liters (about 43 gallons) of soda a year, which is 40% more than the average U.S. citizen
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A measure that cleared the Mexican senate on Thursday and that now awaits the president's signature puts an 8% tax on edibles with high caloric contents.
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shared by Giovanni Perini on 08 Jan 14 - No Cached

The great sugar battle: are more fat taxes on the way?
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Mexico last month approved a tax of one peso, or about eight cents, on every liter of sugary drinks sold
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Mexico is a high consumer of sugary beverages
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measures to curb the rising tide of diabetes
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concluding that a 10% reduction in US sugar consumption would avert 240,000 diabetes cases annually
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sugar taxes
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a growing body of studies suggests that fat taxes might work,
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Taxes should be seen as "a small part of a comprehensive strategy to address obesity,
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marketing to children, stop selling junk food or stop selling anything
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shared by Giovanni Perini on 04 Jan 14 - No Cached

Sheep farmers in Wales boosted by wool prices
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35% of wool sold by the BWMB is now exported to China, double the percentage two years ago.
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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."
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a matter simply of "supply and demand
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getting around 33p a kilo for their wool - in the current strong market we're seeing prices at £1.08
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Wool producers have also reported greater demand for woollen goods.
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"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.
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"We've bought new looms, taken on more staff and are making more products".
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"It's encouraged people to appreciate wool," he said. "It's ecologically good, it's sustainable".
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shared by Giovanni Perini on 04 Jan 14 - No Cached

Wildlife groups criticise green farm subsidy move
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spending a bigger share on the environment despite a smaller overall budget for subsidies.
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transferring 15% of grants away from direct payments for farmers and into protecting wildlife and helping the rural economy.
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"Farmers already pocket huge amounts of cash without having to farm in ways that reduce their effect on wildlife
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shared by Giovanni Perini on 06 Dec 13 - No Cached

Under-age drinking crackdown called for
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Over a four-year period, just 16 people were convicted in the UK of buying alcohol for a child, it added.
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The Institute of Alcohol Studies said tackling irresponsible shop promotions and minimum pricing would better tackle the UK's drinking problem.
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"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.
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shared by Giovanni Perini on 06 Dec 13 - No Cached

Guernsey taxes on alcohol, tobacco and fuel to rise in budget
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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.
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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.
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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.
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