An Introduction to the UK Economy , now in its fifth edition, offers students an authoritative, straightforward introduction to the salient features of the modern British economy. Generously illustrated, this text is intellectually accessible to beginning students of economics at a wide range of levels, from GCSE and A-level study through beginning economics courses and professional examinations. The fifth edition focuses on Britain's role in the world economy, and includes updated material on: Regulation Social policy Inflation Foreign direct investment Transnational corporations Transport infrastructure Health service provision Pensions The environment The Euro Central Bank independence Technical change Housing Higher education World trade Manufacturing and the "weightless economy" Regional policy Each chapter ends with a selection of questions and exercises designed to encourage students to collect, present, and interpret simple statistical and other data from easily accessible sources.