UK interest rates have been left unchanged at 5.25% by the Bank of England (BoE) The Bank has maintained the interest rates at 5.25% for the seventh consecutive time to combat inflation, resulting in increased mortgage repayments and higher savings rates. The interest rates, at their peak for the pastRead More →
Inflation has reached the Bank of England’s target for the first time in nearly three years, having soared to 11.1% in October 2022, the highest in over four decades – driven by a spike in energy and food prices following the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the yearRead More →
The decision comes as inflation, which measures price rises over a period of time, remains above the Bank’s 2% target at 3.2%. But bank says cuts are coming. Is the 2% target still a sensible benchmark? The 2% inflation target set by central banks has been a widely adopted benchmarkRead More →
The Bank of England (BoE) stands as a bastion of economic stability, guiding the United Kingdom through the ebbs and flows of financial tides. Modernising the Bank of England’s forecasting system has become a critical necessity. A recent independent review has cast a spotlight on the ‘serious deficiencies’ within itsRead More →
UK interest rates have been left unchanged at 5.25% by the Bank of England as widely expected by commentators. It is the fourth time in a row the Bank has held rates at 5.25%. The Bank of England had previously raised rates 14 times in a row to curb inflation,Read More →
UK interest rates have been held at 5.25%. This is the third time in a row the Bank of England has opted to hold rates the same. The decision, which was widely expected by financial markets, means borrowing costs will remain at their highest level for 15 years. the BankRead More →
The governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey has raised concerns over economic growth as he warned again that interest rates will not be cut in the ‘foreseeable future’. The bank boss said he was concerned over the UK economy’s potential to grow. It comes after the government’s forecasterRead More →
UK interest rates have been left unchanged at 5.25% by the Bank of England (BoE). The decision comes a day after figures revealed an unexpected slowdown in UK nflation in August 2023. The Bank had previously raised rates some14 times in a row to tackle inflation, leading to increases inRead More →
Confidence in Bank of England (BoE) is a measure of how much the public trusts the central bank to control inflation, set interest rates and maintain economic stability. According to the latest Inflation ‘Attitudes Survey‘ conducted by the Bank of England in August 2023, confidence in Bank of England hasRead More →
That’s still 3% above the target of 2% The Bank of England’s forecasting, which has a major impact on the UK economy, is being reviewed and has been criticised. After the Bank raised interest rates for a 14th time in a row in an effort to slow price rises inRead More →
15 year high… and counting The Bank of England (BoE) announced another increase in its base rate, from 5% to 5.25%, the highest level in over 15 years as of 3rd August 2023. This is the 14th consecutive rise since December 2021, when the BoE started to tighten monetary policyRead More →
Banknotes featuring a portrait of King Charles III entered circulation on Wednesday 5th June 2024. Charles’s portrait will be featured on the front of the £5, £10, £20, and £50 banknotes, visible through the notes’ transparent security window. He is only the second monarch to appear on British banknotes, followingRead More →
Central banks, 18 months ago got it fundamentally wrong and they got it wrong on many other occasions too. So why take any notice? The Fed and other central banks insisted that inflation would be ‘transitory’ – it wasn’t. It reached 7%. That’s 5% above the target of 2%. Along withRead More →
Bank of England offers no election help to Rishi Sunak as the UK interest rate is held at 5.25%. Not that they should. But the UK inflation is on target now at 2% so that’s some consolation. The PM claimed credit as the inflation target was met – happily informingRead More →
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) advises that the Bank of England should contemplate reducing its interest rates to 3.5% by the end of 2025. This suggestion is made as the UK’s economy steadily recovers from the recession caused by the pandemic, while policymakers are dealing with inflationary challenges. The ‘thinking’Read More →
Wet weather was to blame for the U.K. retail sales volumes drop of 2.3% in April 2024. Shoppers were deterred from the high street, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said Friday 24th May 2024. Economists expected a smaller retail sales fall of 0.4%. Sales volumes declined across multiple sectors,Read More →
The April inflation came in higher than anticipated, falling to 2.3%, as reported by the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday 22nd May 2024. Traders have now reduced their expectations of a June interest rate cut by the Bank of England (BoE). Markets reacted negatively in early trading. The headlineRead More →
Mortgage rates are still going up due to expectations that the Bank of England might not cut borrowing costs as much as expected. Higher-than-expected inflation figures at this point, have led to increased forecasts for UK interest rates, prompting lenders to raise the cost of new mortgage deals. Those considering purchasingRead More →
The FTSE 100 soared past 8300, reaching a new record high amid busy trading as London markets reopened after the bank holiday. A catch-up trading session is evident, with mainland-listed stocks having a robust session on Monday 7th May 2024 and continuing to rise. The FTSE reached around 8335 inRead More →
Forecasts indicate that the UK economy will experience sluggish growth among the largest developed nations in 2025. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has projected a 1% increase in the UK’s gross domestic product (GDP) for 2025, which lags behind the growth rates of other G7 nations, includingRead More →
House prices declined in April 2024, with affordability pressures persisting for potential buyers, as reported by Nationwide. The UK’s largest building society reported a 0.4% decrease in house prices compared to the previous month. The average cost of a home now stands at £261,962, which is 4% lower than inRead More →
Inflation in the U.K. eased to 3.2% from 3.4% in March, the Office for National Statistics said on Wednesday 17th April 2024. But a higher-than-expected reading creates more concern as investors push back bets on the timing of the first Bank of England (BoE) rate cut. Economists expected 3.1% asRead More →
The latest figures on UK pay growth and unemployment present a complex picture of the country’s labour market. The unemployment rate has seen a slight uptick to 4.2%, a rise from the previous 3.9%. This increase, which is more than anticipated, suggests a softening in the labour market. Conversely, wage growthRead More →
In February 2024, inflation decreased to 3.4%, a decline from January’s 4%, moving closer to the Bank of England’s self-imposed target of 2% This reduction signifies that the cost of living is increasing at its least rapid rate since September 2021, when it was recorded at 3.1%. Since reaching aRead More →
Retail sales rebounded in January as shoppers went on a determined spending spree, latest figures show. ONS figures revealed a 3.4% jump in sales following a drop in December 2023. Food sales at supermarkets rose strongly while department stores reported a good impact from January sales. The Office for NationalRead More →
HSBC fined £57.4m by the Bank of England for ‘serious failings’ to protect customer deposits. The bank failed to accurately identify deposits eligible for the UK’s Financial Services Compensation Scheme, the Bank’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) announced. HSBC was fined by the Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) forRead More →