Strong wage growth gives Bank of England interest rate dilemma
Quick cuts unlikely because persistently high pay rises will probably be deemed inflationary UK pay growth rises 6% despite job loss warnings after Reeves’s budget Business live – latest updates There was a brief period when the Bank of England was poised to cut interest rates and cut
Read MoreUK pay growth rises 6% despite job loss warnings after Reeves’s budget
Unemployment rate unchanged in three months to December, while vacancies increased in January Business live – latest updates The pay of UK workers grew sharply in December and unemployment remained unchanged despite warnings from business that Rachel Reeves’s autumn budget would lead to job losses. Figures from the
Read MoreUK economy grows by 0.1% in unexpected boost for Rachel Reeves
ONS data showing British national output rose in final quarter of 2024 confounds forecasts of 0.1% decline Britain has avoided a recession after the economy unexpectedly picked up in the final three months of 2024, easing some of the pressure on Rachel Reeves after flatlining during the summer.
Read MoreUK economy on course for 1.5% expansion, NIESR predicts
Thinktank cautions Trump tariffs could blow hole in forecast, with 63% of UK firms exporting to US expecting to be hit The British economy is on course to expand by 1.5% this year after the budget gave a boost to public spending but could be blown off course
Read MoreAndrew Bailey warns against watering down City regulations in pursuit of growth
Bank of England governor says there is ‘no trade-off’ between economic growth and financial stability The governor of the Bank of England has warned against watering down City regulations introduced after the 2008 banking crash, saying there was “no trade-off” between economic growth and financial stability. In a
Read MoreBank of England’s Mann backed rate cut as she sees inflation ‘hump’ easing
Downturn in jobs market will mean workers will be unlikely to be able to bid up their wages, says policymaker Business live – latest updates The Bank of England policymaker Catherine Mann has said she backed a half-point cut in UK interest rates last week because she believes
Read MoreThe Guardian view on interest rates: the Bank of England on its own won’t revive growth | Editorial
Base rate cuts may ease borrowing costs but without stronger public spending and targeted tax relief, economic stagnation will persist “It will be welcome news to many that we have been able to cut interest rates again,” said Andrew Bailey, the Bank of England governor, last week. Plenty
Read MoreUK economy shrinks unexpectedly in blow to Rachel Reeves
ONS data showing 0.1% fall in GDP in January comes less than two weeks before chancellor’s spring statement Analysis: Shrinking economy an unhelpful backdrop for Reeves’s growth push Business live – latest updates The UK economy contracted by 0.1% in January, dealing a blow to Rachel Reeves before
Read MoreTop City watchdogs drop new diversity and inclusion rules for firms
FCA and Bank of England’s PRA join retreat from efforts to help underrepresented groups, citing ‘regulatory burdens’ Peers working for City firms dominate Lords scrutiny panel FCA scraps plan to ‘name and shame’ UK firms under investigation Business live – latest updates The City’s top two regulators have
Read MoreBank of England in no hurry on interest rates – but cuts will come
Despite the decision to hold at 4.5%, businesses and households can take a confident view of the UK’s prospects Bank of England says companies freezing hiring plans as it keeps interest rates on hold Bank of England policymakers might be on a “go-slow” as they look forward to
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