Please check the examination details below before entering your candidate information
Candidate surname Other names
Centre Number Candidate Number
Edexcel Level 3 GCE
Monday 18 May 2026
Morning (Time: 1 hour 30 minutes) Paper
reference 8EC0/02
Mark Scheme (Results)
Economics A
Summer 2026
Advanced Subsidiary
PAPER 2: The UK Economy – Performance and Policies
You must have: Total Marks
Source Booklet (enclosed)
Instructions
AS Level in Economics
8EC0 02 The UK economy: Performance and policies
•• Use black ink or ball-point pen.
Fill in the boxes at the top of this page with your name,
centre number and candidate number.
•• There are two sections in this question paper.
Answer all questions in Section A.
•• InAnswer
Section B, answer all of questions 6(a) to 6(e) and one question from 6(f) or 6(g).
the questions in the spaces provided
– there may be more space than you need.
Information
•• The total mark for this paper is 80.
The marks for each question are shown in brackets
– use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on each question.
• Calculators may be used.
Advice
•• Read each question carefully before you start to answer it.
Check your answers if you have time at the end.
Turn over
P79811A
P:1/1/1/
Education Ltd. *P79811A0124* 1
, Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
SECTION A
Answer ALL questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
Some questions must be answered with a cross in a box . If you change your mind about an Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by the UK’s largest
answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross . awarding body. We provide a wide range of qualifications including academic,
vocational, occupational and specific programmes for employers. For further
You are advised to spend 25 minutes on this section.
information visit our qualifications websites at or
Use the data to support your answers where relevant. .
You may annotate and include diagrams in your answers.
Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our contact us
1 Annual UK gross business investment increased by 5.5% in 2023. page at
(a) Which one of the following best describes gross investment?
(1)
A Net investment minus capital depreciation
B Net investment minus direct tax
C Net investment plus capital depreciation
D Net investment plus indirect tax
helping people progress, everywhere
(b) With reference to the above information, explain one possible reason for this
increase in business investment in the UK. aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help everyone
(3) progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of learning, for all kinds
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for over 150
years, and by working across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an international
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . reputation for our commitment to high standards and raising achievement through
innovation in education. Find out more about how we can help you and your students at:
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summer 2026
Question Paper Log Number P79811A
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Publication Code 8EC0_02_2606_MS
All the material in this publication is
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 1 = 4 marks)
2
2
*P79811A0224*
, General Marking Guidance
2 The table shows the UK’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), £ trillion, 2003 to 2023.
• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the first
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
GDP
Year candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
(£ trillion)
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be rewarded for what
2003 1.75
they have shown they can do rather than penalised for omissions.
2013 1.96 • Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their
perception of where the grade boundaries may lie.
2023 2.27
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme should be used
(Source: ) appropriately.
(a) Which one of the following is the ratio of the UK’s GDP in 2003 to its GDP in 2023? • All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners should
(1) always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the mark scheme.
Examiners should also be prepared to award zero marks if the candidate’s response is
A 1 : 0.52
not worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
B 1 : 0.86 • Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles by which
C 1 : 1.16 marks will be awarded and exemplification may be limited.
D 1 : 1.30 • When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme to a
candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted.
(b) With reference to the table, explain one limitation of using GDP to compare living • Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has replaced it with an
standards over time.
(3) alternative response.
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 2 = 4 marks)
3
3
*P79811A0324* Turn over
Candidate surname Other names
Centre Number Candidate Number
Edexcel Level 3 GCE
Monday 18 May 2026
Morning (Time: 1 hour 30 minutes) Paper
reference 8EC0/02
Mark Scheme (Results)
Economics A
Summer 2026
Advanced Subsidiary
PAPER 2: The UK Economy – Performance and Policies
You must have: Total Marks
Source Booklet (enclosed)
Instructions
AS Level in Economics
8EC0 02 The UK economy: Performance and policies
•• Use black ink or ball-point pen.
Fill in the boxes at the top of this page with your name,
centre number and candidate number.
•• There are two sections in this question paper.
Answer all questions in Section A.
•• InAnswer
Section B, answer all of questions 6(a) to 6(e) and one question from 6(f) or 6(g).
the questions in the spaces provided
– there may be more space than you need.
Information
•• The total mark for this paper is 80.
The marks for each question are shown in brackets
– use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on each question.
• Calculators may be used.
Advice
•• Read each question carefully before you start to answer it.
Check your answers if you have time at the end.
Turn over
P79811A
P:1/1/1/
Education Ltd. *P79811A0124* 1
, Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
SECTION A
Answer ALL questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
Some questions must be answered with a cross in a box . If you change your mind about an Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by the UK’s largest
answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross . awarding body. We provide a wide range of qualifications including academic,
vocational, occupational and specific programmes for employers. For further
You are advised to spend 25 minutes on this section.
information visit our qualifications websites at or
Use the data to support your answers where relevant. .
You may annotate and include diagrams in your answers.
Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our contact us
1 Annual UK gross business investment increased by 5.5% in 2023. page at
(a) Which one of the following best describes gross investment?
(1)
A Net investment minus capital depreciation
B Net investment minus direct tax
C Net investment plus capital depreciation
D Net investment plus indirect tax
helping people progress, everywhere
(b) With reference to the above information, explain one possible reason for this
increase in business investment in the UK. aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help everyone
(3) progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of learning, for all kinds
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for over 150
years, and by working across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an international
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . reputation for our commitment to high standards and raising achievement through
innovation in education. Find out more about how we can help you and your students at:
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summer 2026
Question Paper Log Number P79811A
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Publication Code 8EC0_02_2606_MS
All the material in this publication is
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 1 = 4 marks)
2
2
*P79811A0224*
, General Marking Guidance
2 The table shows the UK’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), £ trillion, 2003 to 2023.
• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the first
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
GDP
Year candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
(£ trillion)
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be rewarded for what
2003 1.75
they have shown they can do rather than penalised for omissions.
2013 1.96 • Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their
perception of where the grade boundaries may lie.
2023 2.27
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme should be used
(Source: ) appropriately.
(a) Which one of the following is the ratio of the UK’s GDP in 2003 to its GDP in 2023? • All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners should
(1) always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the mark scheme.
Examiners should also be prepared to award zero marks if the candidate’s response is
A 1 : 0.52
not worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
B 1 : 0.86 • Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles by which
C 1 : 1.16 marks will be awarded and exemplification may be limited.
D 1 : 1.30 • When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme to a
candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted.
(b) With reference to the table, explain one limitation of using GDP to compare living • Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has replaced it with an
standards over time.
(3) alternative response.
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 2 = 4 marks)
3
3
*P79811A0324* Turn over
