Edexcel B · Theme 3: The global economy · 3.5 Global labour markets

Edexcel B Economics past paper questions: Global labour markets

Every Edexcel B question on Global labour markets from 2017 to 2025: 4 essays, 9 data response questions and 2 short answer questions. It covers Globalisation, Impact of globalisation on global companies and Introduction to macroeconomic policy. Each question links to its paper, mark scheme and examiner report.

Filter these in the tool

SubtopicsGlobalisation 1Impact of globalisation on global companies 1Introduction to macroeconomic policy 1

Essay questions on global labour markets

A-level Paper 1, June 2022, Q3Evaluate20 marks

Case study: Thousands of Uber drivers to receive employee benefits

Evaluate the case for a reduction in the regulations that protect UK employees.

Question paper p.28 Mark scheme p.17 Examiner report p.31 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, June 2022, Q2Evaluate20 marks

Case study: Offshoring by Nabisco

Evaluate the importance of wage costs in influencing the location of manufacturing firms.

Question paper p.17 Mark scheme p.17 Examiner report p.26 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 3, June 2017, Q2(d)Evaluate20 marks

Case study: Whitbread warns of hit from UK minimum wage hike

With reference to Figures 4 and 5, evaluate the success of UK government policies in reducing regional variations in unemployment.

Question paper p.22 Mark scheme p.18 Examiner report p.22 Open in the tool

AS Paper 1, June 2017, Q3Evaluate20 marks

Case study: Heathrow third runway decision delayed until summer 2016

Evaluate the potential costs and benefits of building a new runway at Heathrow Airport.

Question paper p.15 Mark scheme p.15 Examiner report p.18 Open in the tool

Data response questions on global labour markets

A-level Paper 1, June 2025, Q1(e)Discuss8 marks

Case study: The UK rail industry

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

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

A-level Paper 2, June 2025, Q1(d)Analyse6 marks

Case study: UK strikes in 2022–2023

With reference to Extract A, analyse two ways trade unions and professional bodies impact the labour market.

Question paper p.5 Mark scheme p.7 Examiner report p.9 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 3, June 2025, Q2(a)Discuss8 marks

Case study: UK national living wage increase: implications for employers

Discuss the effects of an increase in the national living wage on employment.

Question paper p.10 Mark scheme p.12 Insert Examiner report p.27 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 3, June 2023, Q1(a)Discuss8 marks

Case study: Whitsuntide hirings* – 16th April, 1879

Discuss if wage rates in a modern labour market are always determined by supply and demand.

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

A-level Paper 3, November 2020, Q1(b)Assess10 marks

Case study: UK average house prices

Assess the effectiveness of supply-side policies to ease skills shortages in the labour market.

Question paper p.8 Mark scheme p.6 Insert Examiner report p.5 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 3, June 2019, Q1(a)Discuss8 marks

Case study: Swedish labour market ‘tougher than ever’

Discuss the possible effect of migration on skills shortages.

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

A-level Paper 2, June 2018, Q1(d)Analyse6 marks

Case study: The value of tourism in England

Analyse the impact a trade union could have on the London hotel industry.

Question paper p.7 Mark scheme p.7 Examiner report p.9 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 3, June 2017, Q2(a)Discuss8 marks

Case study: Whitbread warns of hit from UK minimum wage hike

Discuss the likely impact of an increase in the minimum wage on a firm such as Whitbread.

Question paper p.17 Mark scheme p.12 Insert Examiner report p.15 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 3, June 2017, Q2(b)Assess10 marks

Case study: Whitbread warns of hit from UK minimum wage hike

Assess Lidl’s decision to become the first UK supermarket to pay ‘at least the full living wage’ (Extract E, line 4).

Question paper p.18 Mark scheme p.14 Insert Examiner report p.16 Open in the tool

Short answer questions on global labour markets

Case study: Trade Union Congress report on inflation

With reference to Extract A, explain one impact trade unions could have on wage rates.

Question paper p.7 Mark scheme p.6 Examiner report p.10 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, November 2021, Q1(a)Calculate4 marks

Case study: Edinburgh to introduce £2 a day tourist tax

Using the data from Extract C, calculate, to two decimal places, the mean rate of unemployment in Scotland between 2008 and 2018.

Question paper p.4 Mark scheme p.4 Open in the tool

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.

Essay questions on global labour markets

Data response questions on global labour markets

Short answer questions on global labour markets

More Edexcel B topics: The global economy