WJEC · Microeconomics · Competition policy and regulation
WJEC Economics past paper questions: Competition policy and regulation
Every WJEC question on Competition policy and regulation from 2017 to 2024: 1 essay and 3 data response questions. Each question links to its paper, mark scheme and examiner report.
Essay questions on competition policy and regulation
Using examples to support your answer, discuss the view that privatisation always leads to greater efficiency.
Examiner insight
- What to cover
- Explain the case that private ownership sharpens the profit motive, cuts X inefficiency and improves productive efficiency, and use the efficiency framework from part (a). Then the counter case: a privatised natural monopoly can raise price above marginal cost.
- Watch out
- Unsupported assertions kept answers in the lower bands, for example that privatisation always brings competition, always involves deregulation, or that all privatised firms are natural monopolies. These are separate things.
Data response questions on competition policy and regulation
Evaluate the view that Angola's privatisation programme is likely to be successful.
Examiner insight
- What to cover
- Argue both sides of the Angolan privatisation programme with chains of reasoning: efficiency gains from the profit motive and competition, revenue for the government, against the risk of private monopoly and the sale of assets below value.
- Watch out
- Naming the companies being privatised does not earn AO2 credit on its own. Use the substantive detail of the case.
With reference to Figure 1, describe the difference in railway usage when railways were nationalised compared with being privately run.
"The high prices and poor service are the main reasons why many passengers are calling for renationalisation." With reference to the data, discuss the view that renationalisation of the railways will lead to lower prices for passengers.
Question text is quoted from the question papers, © WJEC CBAC Ltd, 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.