Paper 1: Markets and how they work · 9EB0/01

Edexcel B A-level Paper 1, June 2025

All 10 written questions from Edexcel B A-level Paper 1 (June 2025), Markets and how they work. Case studies: The UK rail industry, Cap on bankers’ bonuses removed and Costs and benefits for nuclear power stations. Each question shows its marks and topic, and opens the question paper and mark scheme at the right page.

Question paper Mark scheme Examiner report

Section A

Case study

The UK rail industry

Extracts: A: The UK rail industry · B: UK rail industry operational income and expenditure between April 2023 and · C: Avanti West Coast train drivers to be paid £600 for overtime shifts · D: Avanti West Coast contract renewed despite poor performance · E: City mayors put forward alternative to the cancelled HS2 northern leg · F: Jobs at risk as UK Government fails to bridge gaps in new train orders

In the extracts: Avanti West Coast, TOCs, ROSCOs, Network Rail, Midlands, London, ASLEF, Train Operating Companies, Manchester and Liverpool, Train Operating Company

Q1(a)Explain4 marks

Explain one benefit to train operating companies (TOCs) of leasing the trains.

Mark splitKnowledge 1Application 2Analysis 1

TopicRevenue, costs, profits and cash

Question paper p.2 Mark scheme p.4 Examiner report p.5 Open in the tool

Q1(b)Illustrate4 marks

Using a supply and demand diagram, illustrate the impact on the market for rail travel from a decrease in bus fares.

Mark splitKnowledge 2Application 1Analysis 1

TopicIntroducing the marketMarket failure across the economy

Question paper p.3 Mark scheme p.5 Examiner report p.9 Open in the tool Draw it: supply and demand diagram

Q1(c)Calculate4 marks

Using Extract B, calculate to two decimal places, the percentage of total income for the rail industry that came from government subsidies between April 2023 and March 2024. You are advised to show your working.

Mark splitKnowledge 1Application 3

TopicMarket failure and government interventionMarket failure across the economy

Question paper p.4 Mark scheme p.6 Examiner report p.13 Open in the tool

Q1(d)Analyse6 marks

Analyse two possible reasons why the UK Government subsidises rail travel.

Mark splitKnowledge 2Application 2Analysis 2

TopicMarket failure and government interventionMarket failure across the economy

Question paper p.5 Mark scheme p.7 Examiner report p.17 Open in the tool

Q1(e)Discuss8 marks

Using Extract C, discuss the power that train drivers have in the labour market.

Mark splitKnowledge 2Application 2Analysis 2Evaluation 2

TopicGlobal labour markets

Question paper p.6 Mark scheme p.8 Examiner report p.20 Open in the tool

Q1(f)Assess10 marks

Using Extract D, assess the impact on consumers of Avanti West Coast having a monopoly on its routes.

Mark splitKnowledge 2Application 2Analysis 3Evaluation 3

TopicCompetition and market power

Question paper p.8 Mark scheme p.10 Examiner report p.26 Open in the tool Practise the monopoly diagram

Q1(g)Assess12 marks

Assess whether the investment into a new railway line between Birmingham and Manchester can reduce geographical immobility.

Mark splitKnowledge 2Application 2Analysis 4Evaluation 4

TopicMarket failure across the economy

Question paper p.10 Mark scheme p.12 Examiner report p.33 Open in the tool

Q1(h)Assess12 marks

Assess the possible benefits to the UK economy if the UK Government buys more trains.

Mark splitKnowledge 2Application 2Analysis 4Evaluation 4

Question paper p.12 Mark scheme p.14 Examiner report p.40 Open in the tool

Section B

Case study

Cap on bankers’ bonuses removed

Extracts: G: Cap on bankers’ bonuses removed

In the extracts: Financial Conduct Authority, Global Financial Crisis, Trades Union Congress, General Secretary, Regulators, Paul Nowak, Brexit, London, UK GDP, State

Q2Evaluate20 marks

Evaluate the extent to which the removal of the cap on bankers’ bonuses will be beneficial to the UK banking industry.

Mark splitKnowledge 4Application 4Analysis 6Evaluation 6

TopicRisk and the financial sector

Question paper p.14 Mark scheme p.16 Examiner report p.47 Open in the tool

Section C

Case study

Costs and benefits for nuclear power stations

Extracts: H: Costs and benefits for nuclear power stations · I: The Stop Hinkley Campaign

In the extracts: Hinkley Point, Sizewell, Managing Director of Hinkley, Campaign The Stop, Hinkley Campaign, Stuart Crooks, Stop Hinkley, Spokesperson, Roy Pumfrey, Progress

Q3Evaluate20 marks

Evaluate whether the social benefits of building nuclear power stations outweigh the social costs.

Mark splitKnowledge 4Application 4Analysis 6Evaluation 6

TopicMarket failure and government intervention

Question paper p.18 Mark scheme p.18 Examiner report p.55 Open in the tool Practise the negative externality diagram

Question text is quoted from the question papers, © Pearson Edexcel, for students’ private study. Open the official papers and mark schemes from the links on each question. Examiner insights are written with AI assistance and moderated by Finn.

Section A

The UK rail industry

Section B

Cap on bankers’ bonuses removed

Section C

Costs and benefits for nuclear power stations

Other years of Edexcel B A-level Paper 1

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