Category Archives: Economics

eBook price fixing case

Apple went on trial this week (02/06/2013) to face charges brought by the US department of justice (DOJ) that, in 2009, it knowingly conspired to fix the prices of eBooks in the US. Last year Apple and five publishers (Macmillan, … Continue reading

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UK avoids triple-dip recession

As expected, the UK economy has escaped from a triple-dip recession by the skin of its teeth with a return to positive growth of just 0.3% in the first quarter of 2013, according to provisional estimates released by the ONS today. Continue reading

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IMF identifies three-speed recovery

The IMF has downgraded its growth forecast for the developed economies, including the UK. In its twice yearly World Economic Outlook the IMF has identified a three-speed recovery from the global recession Continue reading

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Benefit cap

From today, April 15th, a benefit cap of £500 per week for couples and lone parents, and £350 a week for single adults will be introduced in four London boroughs – Croydon, Bromley, Haringey and Enfield. Other local authorities will … Continue reading

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Budget 2013 – Comment

With interest rates at an all time low, and with QE having run out of steam, it looks like conventional monetary policy is, as least for now, a dead duck. Low interest rates and quantitative easing were supposed to be … Continue reading

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UK credit rating downgraded

The UK lost its coveted Aaa credit rating, which it has held since 1978, when Moody’s downgraded UK government bonds by one notch to Aa1. The other two main agencies have yet to make a move, but it is likely that they will follow suit in the near future. Continue reading

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EU budget – Cameron can enjoy his Sunday roast

After an intense night of haggling the EU’s 27 leaders finally agreed to a cut in the payment ceiling for 7-year EU budget, reducing the limit from €942.8bn to €908.4bn – a reduction of 3.65%. This represents the first cut in the EU budget since the formation of the Common Market in 1957. Continue reading

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UK edges nearer to triple-dip recession

The UK economy experienced a fall in GDP in the fourth quarter of 2012, according to provisional estimates released by the ONS today. The 0.3% fall, which comes on the back of positive news on jobs, means that the UK … Continue reading

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