The Bank of England raised interest rates by three-quarters of a percentage point on Thursday, the biggest hike in 33 years, as it tries to contain soaring inflation even as the UK economy slides towards recession.
The central bank made its eighth interest rate hike in less than a year, taking its benchmark rate to 3%, the highest it has been since November 2008.
The huge hike matches moves made by the US Federal Reserve on Wednesday and the European Central Bank last week.
Since the Bank of England’s last meeting, UK financial markets have been through a period of unprecedented turbulence and the outlook for the economy has deteriorated.
Former Prime Minister Liz Truss’ “mini” budget in late September — with its promise of £45 billion ($51.6 billion) of unfunded tax cuts — crashed the pound, collapsed bond prices, sparked mayhem in mortgage markets and prompted an emergency intervention by the Bank of England to save pension funds from insolvency.
While Truss’ tax-cutting plans have since largely been ditched, restoring calm to markets and easing expectations for inflation in the medium term, rising food and energy costs are keeping prices high. The annual rate of inflation rose to 10.1% in September, from 9.9% in August, returning to the 40-year high hit in July.
Central bank policymakers are now waiting for the government’s budget announcement on November 17 for more details on spending plans and tax policies, which could influence what happens to inflation next year.
Despite recent turmoil in the bond market, the Bank of England pushed ahead this week with plans to shrink its balance sheet, selling £750 million ($859 million) of short-term government debt on Tuesday. In a sign of renewed confidence in the United Kingdom, investors placed about £2.45 billion ($2.8 billion) worth of bids for the bonds, Reuters reported.
Latest Stories
-
Akosombo Dam spillage reveals systematic failures in disaster readiness – Research
6 mins -
Akwasi Agyeman outlines benefits of NPP’s Travel Protocol Service
7 mins -
CICMG urges government to introduce LI to regulate credit market
13 mins -
NDC won’t have a sweet victory without Hohoe seat – Ablakwa
16 mins -
No Ghanaian should drink contaminated water – Engineer
18 mins -
Ghana’s biggest lender is not who you think
25 mins -
Calls for ban on small-scale mining unfair – Small-Scale Miners Association
28 mins -
Akufo-Addo’s anti-galamsey committee won’t succeed – GNAT
30 mins -
Don’t ban small-scale mining – Association to government
32 mins -
OmniBSIC Bank and GIZ Ghana host successful financial literacy trainings for SMEs
34 mins -
WAPCEH Ghana Chapter gets 8 new executives
46 mins -
Youth-NREG urges government to take decisive action against galamsey
50 mins -
Why should you resists calls for forensic audit? – Alan quizzes EC
55 mins -
Fuel price reduction: Diesel at GH₵12.55, petrol GH₵13.27 a litre
1 hour -
Ghana music industry: Hurdles, hope and horizon
1 hour