The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) sets monetary policy to meet the 2% inflation target, and in a way that helps to sustain growth and employment. At its meeting ending on 19 June 2024, the MPC voted by a majority of 7–2 to maintain Bank Rate at 5.25%. Two members preferred to reduce Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 5%. Twelve-month CPI inflation fell to 2.0% in May from 3.2% in March, close to the May Monetary Policy Report projection. Indicators of short-term inflation expectations have also continued to moderate, particularly for households. CPI inflation is expected to rise slightly in ... (full story)

The Bank of England on Thursday opted to keep interest rates steady at its June meeting, confirming market expectations even after U.K. inflation hit its 2% target. It keeps the central bank’s key rate at a 16-year high of 5.25%, where it has been held since August 2023. Seven members of the Monetary Policy Committee voted to hold, while two favored to cut, the same as during the bank’s May meeting. Inflation data on Wednesday showed headline price rises cooled to 2% in May, meeting the central bank’s target ahead of the U.S. and the euro zone, despite the U.K. suffering a sharper spike inflation over the last two ... (full story)