The term “moral hazard” was first widely used in the insurance industry in the 18th century. Put simply, it refers to a situation in which a person or institution engaged in a risky activity does not bear the full negative consequences of their decisions. This lack of consequences encourages them to behave more recklessly than if they were fully responsible for their actions.
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Council tax bills in worst hit areas set to rise by £500 in the next four yearsBranded the ‘ultimate stealth tax’, the council tax burden is increasing across the country, with some areas potentially having to find hundreds of pounds more a year to pay the bill
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Crypto ETNs are approved for UK retail investorsThe FCA has approved the sale of crypto ETNs to retail investors from October. What is a crypto ETN, and what does this mean for investors?
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What is a dividend yield?Videos Learn what a dividend yield is and what it can tell investors about a company's plans to return profits to its investors.
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Fiscal drag could cost millions of earners thousands – what is it, and how can I protect my money?Videos The government froze tax thresholds, which will drag employees into higher tax bands as wages rise with inflation. We explain what fiscal drag is, and how to avoid it.
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What is a deficit?Videos When we talk about government spending and the public finances, we often hear the word ‘deficit’ being used. But what is a deficit, and why does it matter?
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Too embarrassed to ask: what is contagion?Videos Most of us probably know what “contagion” is in a biological sense. But it also crops up in financial markets. Here's what it means.
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Too embarrassed to ask: what is stagflation?Videos Traditionally, economists and central bankers worry about inflation or recession. But there is one thing worse than both: stagflation. Here's what it is
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Too embarrassed to ask: what is the metaverse?Videos The term “metaverse” sounds like something out of a science fiction novel (and it is). But what does it actually mean?
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Too embarrassed to ask: what is the gold standard?Videos These days, most currencies are "fiat" currencies backed by the economies of the countries that issue them. But in days gone by currencies were on the "gold standard". Here's what that means.
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Too embarrassed to ask: what is tapering?Videos Tapering is the reduction in quantitative easing provided by a central bank. But how does it work?
