These data include input output tables, bilateral trade flows, transport costs, information on tariff and non-tariff barriers and all other data that are in the Social accounting Matrices (SAM) and used in CGE models (Burfisher 2012).
Information on tariff and non-tariff barriers, and changes in trade policies, was primarily sourced from USDA FAS Attaché Reports.
The energy regulator Ofgem has announced new rules for comparison websites which will force them to give consumers more information on the tariffs they show, amid allegations that they are hiding the best deals from consumers.
One shortcoming of our data is the lack of information on non-tariff barriers.
Food export data from the United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service [ 17] were extracted for US exports into Central American countries at the internationally consistent "6-digit" level of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, which can be matched exactly with information on changes in tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Finally, these data have been merged, at patient level, with data from the SiSSi (Simulazione Spesa Sanitaria Italiana – Simulation of the Italian Health Care Expenditure) project, which includes information on prices and tariffs for drugs, outpatient visits, diagnostic tests and hospitalization visits.
National authorities will be required to forward the information on parcel delivery tariffs to the European Commission for publication on a dedicated website, which will help ensure transparency in the parcels sector as a whole.
Since March 2014 the energy companies have been forced, by a Conservative government no less, to display on their bills personalised information on the cheapest tariff they offer.
"Just giving people information on the lowest tariff is not enough when trust is at an all-time low in the industry and switching levels are falling," Which? said.
