Welcome to the 93rd edition of our Newsletter EdGenie's 📜 Sunday Scroll...

Every Sunday I send out actionable tips, tricks and real-world application insights from my 15 year experience coaching students to achieve As and A*s in their Economics A Levels via EdGenie.

Hey Genies,

I bet you've asked - Should I really be studying over the summer? 🤔

(This applies to any subjects)

Honestly, it depends on three things:

1. Did you struggle last year? Maybe you’ve got gaps from Year 11 or Year 12 that need filling. Don’t let them haunt you next yea
   
2. Do you want strong grades and outcomes? Want those impressive predicted grades that open doors to top unis and careers? Now’s the perfect time to strengthen your foundations.
3. Do you want to be the absolute best you can be? If you’re ambitious, summer’s your chance to quietly level-up while others stand still.

Answered YES to any of these? Here’s exactly what you can do:

✅ Dive into real-world economics: Read articles, watch YouTube, or follow channels that apply economics (or any other subject) to what’s actually happening around us.

✅ Tackle your weaker topics: Catch up on Year 12 content. Solidify what you found challenging - so next year feels easier.

✅ Create structure: Plan short, manageable sessions throughout the summer. Then, relax guilt-free!

Go on holiday, travel, see friends - enjoy the freedom without worrying you’re falling behind.

This little-but-often approach is all it takes.

Come September, you’ll be miles ahead.

At EdGenie, we can guide you through exactly what you need.

Enjoy your summer, but also set yourself up for success!

Join EdGenie and let's secure your A* together - starting now, not later.

I believe in you.

Let’s get going!

Emre

💸 Britain: Bargain of the Developed World
Britain’s assets, labour, and currency are undervalued compared to other rich economies. Investors like BlackRock and AQR view UK stocks and bonds as offering high expected returns.
🍓 Poundland Pricing Isn’t Just for Strawberries
Inspired by Poundland’s £1 ethos, the UK’s economy is seen as cheap but functional. This “Poundland strategy” could be leveraged for export-led growth if carefully managed.
💼 Skilled Workers at Discount Prices
Feeble wage growth and a weakened pound have made UK services workers cost-competitive. JPMorgan notes that hiring tech staff in Glasgow now costs closer to India than Texas.
🌍 Services Save the Day
Services exports to the US have surged by ~75% since 2016, highlighting the UK’s strength in mid-skilled exports like IT, law, and consulting. This is one of the few consistent success stories since Brexit.
🏦 Institutions Must Stay Strong
The article warns against damaging investor trust through reckless borrowing or political interference in independent institutions like the Bank of England or OBR.
🧱 Reform or Regress
Reforms to planning laws, labour regulation, and post-Brexit migration are critical. Blocking business-friendly projects (like a new film studio) contradicts growth goals.
🛒 Sell It, Don’t Shame It
The biggest challenge is political optics: embracing Britain's “cheapness” may feel like declinism or admitting failure. But leveraging undervaluation could help revive growth after a lost decade.
🌟 A Realistic Road to Prosperity
With a large parliamentary majority, Sir Keir Starmer has the space to act boldly. If marketed well, Britain could shift from being “cheap for a reason” to being seen as good value and worth investing in.

Q. Explain two reasons why the UK’s currency depreciation may increase its international competitiveness.
A. A depreciation in the pound reduces the foreign price of UK exports, making them more competitive abroad and potentially increasing export demand. This improves the current account balance, assuming the Marshall-Lerner condition holds. Additionally, the fall in sterling lowers the relative cost of hiring UK labour and services, encouraging firms to outsource operations like IT and HR to the UK. This cost advantage can attract inward FDI and support export-led growth in service sectors.

Q. Analyse how low UK asset prices might affect the level of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
A. Lower UK asset prices increase the expected rate of return for foreign investors, making British companies and properties more attractive acquisition targets. This incentivises inflows of FDI, particularly in undervalued sectors such as retail or technology. Greater FDI may improve capital formation, productivity, and employment in the host economy. However, investors may still be cautious if low prices signal systemic risks such as political instability or weak institutions, limiting sustained FDI growth.

Q. Discuss how weak wage growth might affect the UK’s long-run aggregate supply (LRAS).
A. Weak wage growth can discourage labour market participation and reduce incentives to invest in skills, potentially lowering human capital and productivity growth, thus shifting LRAS leftward. However, lower labour costs may raise employment levels and reduce unit labour costs, encouraging firms to expand output, which could shift LRAS rightward if productivity improves. The net effect depends on whether low wages are associated with stagnant innovation or act as a catalyst for export-led supply-side expansion.

Q. Explain how strong institutions like the Bank of England and OBR contribute to economic stability.
A. Independent institutions such as the Bank of England and the OBR enhance policy credibility, ensuring that monetary and fiscal policy remain rules-based and transparent. This reduces uncertainty in financial markets, helping to anchor inflation expectations and maintain investor confidence. When these bodies are respected, they reduce the risk of capital flight and speculative attacks on the currency, as markets trust that economic fundamentals will be prioritised over short-term political gains.
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​Q. Analyse the possible impact of the UK’s cheap labour on services exports to the United States.
A. Lower UK wages following Brexit and currency depreciation have improved the relative cost competitiveness of UK-based services. This makes it cheaper for US firms to outsource activities such as legal services, consulting, and IT support to the UK, increasing the quantity of services exported. The growth in export volumes contributes positively to net trade and aggregate demand. Over time, this can also lead to dynamic gains in productivity through economies of scale and international market expansion.

If you or your child are looking to Boost your A level Economics Grades in under 30 days, I'd recommend starting with an all-in-one support network where you get 24/7 access to a SuperTutor:

→ Join EdGenie 🧞‍♂️: Transform your A-Level Economics essays and exam marks (genuinely) with our comprehensive on-demand learning platform. This carefully curated course blends engaging content with effective exam techniques, the same ones that have empowered over 1,000 of my students to achieve an A or A* over the last 13 years.