Presentation and Report
WRITE A REPORT OF 1000 WORDS MAXIMUM (INCLUDING APPENDICES AND TABLES)
ON “COVID AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE UK ECONOMY”. BASED ON WHICH YOU WILL
GIVE A PRESENTATION. YOU SHOULD COVER THE FOLLOWING AREAS.
- Report on recent trends and how COVID affected the economy using what you consider to be
appropriate economic variables. You should comment on 4 variables which you should choose
based on their importance for business and for economic policy, providing a brief justification
for your choice. You should provide data on both the previous five years (using annual data –
this will tell you how the situation in more recent months has changed from the trend in the
preceding 3 or 4 years and previous six quarters (a quarter is a 3 month period denoted e.g.
by Q1 for the first three months of the year – this will give you a more “close-up” picture of
how things have changed as the UK recession “bottomed out” and turned to recovery) for the
variables you comment on. Where monthly data is easier to obtain, you can use the previous
18 months data (50 marks)
1 - Explain what you think is likely to happen to the economy over the next year or so. Make
reference to any important policy announcements, such as the Budget, policy rate etc. Wherever
possible you should explain the basis of your analysis using appropriate economic theories,
concepts and models (for example, the life-cycle theory of consumption, the 45-degree line
diagram, the IS-LM model, the AD-AS model). You should consider fiscal, monetary and
supply-side policy. (50 marks)
Your presentation/report will be assessed according to the following criteria:
• Understanding of the topic.
Proper use of theoretical ideas to guide the analysis. Correct use of terminology. Ability to
explain ideas and events. Ability to explain how COVID affected the economy. Ability to
compare and contrast different policy actions. Evidence of an informed decision about what
areas to concentrate on in the report.
• Relevance/Implications for Business.
Have implications been brought out. Has a reasoned case been made for which factors most
affect business.
• Depth of analysis and evidence.
Ability to go beyond mere description of events or policies and explain why they have taken a
particular form and what their significance is. Quantity and quality of evidence underpinning
major points/conclusions. Ability to identify and assess potential alternative scenarios e.g.
significant changes in policy relative to the one considered most likely. Ability to use theoretical
models to underpin the analysis e.g. 45-degree line diagram, IS-LM model, AD-AS model,
lifetime consumption theory. Such analysis should be supported by appropriate diagrams.
• Presentation and communication skills.
Logical sequence to the report. Proper introduction and conclusion. Clear tables, diagrams and
referencing, including clear statement of the source of any data presented. Good use of English
and fluent style.
Guidance on sources:
Some good sources of material are:
National Institute Economic Review – this is a leading commentary and forecast on the UK economy,
which also has many useful data tables.
Economic Outlook by Oxford Economics – this is a commentary of economic developments which
covers the world but has a section devoted to the UK.
2
OECD Economic Outlook – this is a foremost commentary and forecast, which covers a wide range
of economies. It also has a very large statistical appendix. Be very careful not to print out
large chunks of which only a few pages will be relevant to the UK. Only available with a
six month delay
Type of service: Academic Paper Writing
Type of assignment: Essay
Subject: Economics
Pages/words: 1/250
Number of Sources: 1
Academic level: Undergraduate
Paper Format: Harvard
Line spacing: Double
Language style: UK English
