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.

Total cost (TC), average total cost (ATC), fixed cost (FC), variable cost (VC), average fixed cost (AFC), average variable cost (AVC). Calculation of TC, ATC, FC, VC, AFC and AVC. Definition, drawing and interpretation of diagrams that show how changes in output affect costs of production. Total revenue (TR) and average revenue (AR). Calculation of TR and AR. The influence of sales on revenue. Survival, social welfare, profit maximisation and growth. Note: marginal cost is not required. Note: marginal revenue is not required.