The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has announced a widely anticipated 0.25 percentage point reduction in the base interest rate, bringing it to 4.75%. This move, aimed at easing financial pressures, comes as the Bank revises its inflation forecast, predicting it will return sustainably to its target of 2% by the first half of 2027—one year later than previously projected.
In the minutes from its latest meeting, the MPC noted that since its last review, the market-implied path for UK interest rates has increased substantially, reflecting ongoing economic changes. Despite the cut, the committee expressed caution, highlighting that the economic effects of falling inflation would need to be closely monitored before further adjustments are made.
The Bank’s quarterly Monetary Policy Report also revealed concerns about inflationary pressures arising from recent government spending. Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s £70 billion package of tax and borrowing measures is expected to push prices higher while contributing to a 0.75% increase in GDP next year. However, Governor Andrew Bailey emphasized that the underlying trend for inflation remains one of “continued progress in disinflation,” suggesting that inflationary forces are gradually losing momentum.
The MPC voted 8-1 in favor of the rate cut, with one member opposing it, advocating for maintaining the rate at 5%. The committee reaffirmed its stance that future rate reductions should be gradual, emphasizing the importance of assessing the economy’s response to inflation’s decline.
The decision to lower the base rate signals a continued effort to stimulate economic recovery while ensuring inflation remains under control. Despite the expected pressures from fiscal measures and global economic uncertainty, the Bank remains optimistic that the UK economy will continue its path toward sustainable price stability over the next few years.