BBC Recession Tracker

Excellent resource from the BBC, enabling you to track important economic data as the recession develops.

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70,000 jobs slashed worldwide

Unemployment is a lagging factor in any recession, so it likely that job losses will continue to rise until after the economy starts to improve again.
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Return to Protectionism?

International Trade
Obama's fiscal stimulus package may include a "buy American" clause for building materials and other products. Is this a risk to world trade?
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How quickly could the UK economy recover?

Business Cycles
Excellent and easy to read piece on how long this recession might last. read more...

Pound close to 23 year low

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UK inflation falls to 3.1%

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UK Economy Downturn "Frightening"...

Business leaders have painted a bleak picture of the UK economy, with a survey suggesting the end of 2008 saw a "frightening deterioration".
More from the BBC here...

Bank reduces rate to 1.5%

Monetary Policy
The Bank of England cut interest rates again this month in an attempt to avert deflation and stimulate growth.
Read the official press release here...

However, there is growing debate over whether these cuts are having any effect.
Read some commentary from the Guardian here...

Higher Economics January Plan (Mr Irvine)

Click on the image to view our plan for January, which includes a topic entitled Role of Government and, of course, the prelim examination on January 23rd.

2008: The Year Britain's Bubble Burst...

Financial Crisis

This BBC Panorama, which follows Robert Peston's reporting on the extraordinary financial crisis of 2008, is available to view on iplayer. Running time: 30 min.

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Slovakia joins the Eurozone

Exchange Rates

Slovakia has become the 16th country to adopt the Euro as their national currency.

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Cameron attacks VAT cut...

Fiscal Policy

David Cameron has claimed that the cut in VAT from 17.5% to 15% has had no effect and is a waste of money. The government basically argues that they had to do something to stimulate spending.

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Bank set to cut rates again - but how low will they go?

Monetary Policy
The UK interest rate could drop to its lowest level in over 300 years as the Bank of England fights recession and the prospect of deflation.
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