Welcome to the 76th 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, 👋

If you’re spending most of your revision time just learning content, let me tell you why that’s not the best way to secure an A or A*.

I see too many students fall into this trap:

• They watch hours of YouTube videos. 📺
• They take pages of beautiful notes. 📝
• They make endless flashcards. 🔄

And yet, when they sit a real exam question, they freeze. ❄️

Why?

Because A-Level Economics isn’t just about knowing content—it’s about applying it.

That’s where most students go wrong.

They assume that memorising theory will automatically translate into good exam answers.
It won’t.

Here’s what actually works:
💡 Question Practice.

Here’s why it’s a grade-changer:

1️⃣ It exposes your weaknesses. You’ll quickly realise where your knowledge gaps are when you struggle to answer a question.

2️⃣ It builds exam technique. Knowing the content isn’t enough—you need to know how to structure your answers to hit top marks.

3️⃣ It helps with recall. The more you apply concepts in context, the easier they’ll stick. Flashcards won’t save you in the exam.

4️⃣ It makes you faster. Writing under timed conditions forces you to think and respond like you would in the real exam.

5️⃣ It gets you feedback. You need to see where you’re going wrong and how to fix it—this is the difference between a B and an A*.

👉 So, what should you do?

For every topic, stop passively reading.

Instead:

• Pick a past question.
• Write a full essay plan. (or if you're short on time, bullet points work too)
• Attempt the question under timed conditions.
• Get feedback and improve.

And if you need real feedback, proper exam technique guidance, and structured question practice, that’s literally what we do at EdGenie.

You could keep rereading your notes…

Or you could start practising like the top students do.

You decide.


Best,

  Emre 🚀

📦 M&S Faces £40mn Recycling Tax :Marks & Spencer is set to pay £40mn annually under new sustainability taxes starting in October. This is part of a broader £2bn levy on UK retailers aimed at reducing unsustainable packaging.

💰 Retailers Struggling with Rising Costs: The sector is already burdened by a £5bn rise in costs due to higher national insurance contributions and wage increases. Tesco will pay an extra £250mn yearly, while Sainsbury’s is cutting 3,000 jobs to offset costs.

📉 Impact on Jobs and Prices: The Bank of England warned that the national insurance hike will lead to more job losses and price increases than initially expected. Retailers have urged the government to delay the tax, but their appeal has so far been unsuccessful.

🏛️ How the Tax Works: The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme requires businesses to pay for the household packaging they produce. However, the funds raised—over £1bn annually—are not specifically allocated to recycling.

🏗️ Call for Transparency in Fund:  Allocation: Retailers insist that the revenue from the tax should be ringfenced to improve recycling infrastructure. Without clear plans, businesses fear the money may not directly support environmental initiatives.

🔄 Deposit Return Scheme Uncertainty: A separate recycling initiative, the Deposit Return Scheme, aims to reduce plastic waste by offering refunds for returned bottles. However, Wales has withdrawn from the programme, complicating its nationwide rollout.

🏭 Businesses Must Adapt: Regulatory experts warn that companies must prepare for changes in packaging materials and waste management practices. The uncertainty over final costs is adding pressure to retailers already dealing with financial challenges.

🌍 Government’s Circular Economy Vision: Despite concerns, the UK government argues that these reforms will create 21,000 jobs and attract over £10bn in recycling investments over the next decade, supporting its long-term sustainability goals.

Q. Explain how the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme is expected to impact UK retailers.
A. The EPR scheme requires businesses to pay for the packaging waste they generate, increasing costs for retailers like M&S (£40mn annually). This raises industry-wide expenses to £2bn, potentially leading to higher prices, job losses, and reduced profitability. The uncertainty over fund allocation further pressures businesses to adjust packaging strategies.

Q. Explain why businesses are urging the government to delay the packaging levy.
A.Retailers face a £5bn cost increase from rising national insurance and wages, making additional sustainability taxes unaffordable. The lack of clarity on how EPR funds will be used adds uncertainty. Businesses argue the cumulative burden will force layoffs and price hikes, making a delay essential for financial stability.

Q. Discuss whether the EPR scheme will achieve its objective of reducing unsustainable packaging.
A. While the tax incentivises retailers to use eco-friendly packaging, businesses may pass costs to consumers rather than adopting greener alternatives. Additionally, without ringfencing funds for recycling, the scheme may not lead to significant environmental improvements. The effectiveness depends on government oversight and industry adaptation.

Q. Evaluate the UK government’s claim that the EPR scheme will create jobs and attract investment.
A.While the government predicts 21,000 new jobs and £10bn in recycling investments, businesses argue that rising costs may force cost-cutting measures instead. If funds are not efficiently allocated, job creation may be lower than expected. The scheme's success depends on whether the tax revenue is used effectively to improve recycling infrastructure.

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.