The following organizations' websites may be consulted for further information. Most of the sites will provide background information on the role of the organization concerned, and press releases concerning their current activities.

The websites are a valuable source of up-to-date statistical data. The main source of official statistics for the UK is National Statistics, which was created in 1996 by the merger of the Central Statistical Office and the Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys. Certain official statistics are also available from individual government departments, and from other agencies such as the Bank of England.

Non-official statistics and surveys are provided by many other organizations. In the UK, the CBI carries out regular surveys of the general business climate, while other bodies collect data specific to their particular industries. For example, official statistics on the UK financial services sector can be supplemented by information from trade bodies such as the British Bankers Association and the Council of Mortgage Lenders. On an international basis, a wide range of comparative international statistics is available from organizations such as the WTO, the IMF and the OECD.

In addition to statistics, many organizations' websites offer a selection of publications. These can range from simple factsheets through to detailed reports and surveys. In many cases journals and working papers are also available, which offer a more academic perspective on specific economic topics.

Websites of central banks are particularly useful for finding information on monetary policy. The Bank of England's website includes a separate section on this topic, and provides links to other central banks worldwide.

Information on the euro is also readily available from this and from other central banks' websites. In the UK the HM Treasury website includes an extensive analysis of the economics of the single currency. The Treasury also sponsors a separate official site devoted to the practical aspects of the introduction of the euro.

Students may also wish to note the increasing use of a "recruitment" section in many organizations' websites, which may show a range of jobs available at particular institutions.

HSBC Bank's Economic Review, published quarterly, is available via the HSBC Bank website at www.hsbc.co.uk. The Review includes a number of articles covering current economic topics both domestic and international.

Note on overseas organizations' websites: in the list below, the address shown is the organization's main 'home page', which is normally presented in the home language. For some of these sites an English-language version is available, and can usually be reached by clicking on the word 'English' and/or a Union Flag symbol.