Definition of economic growth. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and how it can be used to measure economic growth. GDP per head (capita). Meaning of recession and how a recession moves the economy within its PPC. How changes in total demand may increase the utilisation of resources and GDP – resulting in a movement from inside toward the PPC. How economic growth shifts the economy’s PPC to the right and is caused by changes in investment, technology, and the quantity and quality of the factors of production. The costs and benefits of economic growth in the context of different economies. The range of policies available to promote economic growth and how effective they might be.

Definition of the government budget. The main areas of government spending and the reasons for and effects of spending in these areas. Taxation as the main source of government revenue and the reasons for levying taxation. Examples of the different classifications of tax; progressive, regressive, proportional; and direct, indirect. The qualities of a good tax. The impact of taxation on consumers, producers, government and economy as a whole. Definition of fiscal policy. The tax and spending changes, in the form of fiscal policy, that cause budget balance or imbalance. Including calculations of the size of a budget deficit or surplus. How fiscal policy measures may enable the government to achieve its macroeconomic aims. Note: aggregate demand and aggregate supply are not required.