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Thursday, 09 May 2013 12:22
Interest rates unchanged as committee awaits new Governor
The Bank of England has held interest rates at 0.5 per cent today and made no increase to the asset purchase programme.
At the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee on 8-9 May, the committee voted to leave the policy unchanged.
It is now expected by economists that there will no major changes until incoming Governor Mark Carney takes over in July.
July will also see the committee adopt a new policy of using "unconventional monetary tools" to boost the economy, as outlined in March's Budget.
Interest rates have remained at 0.5 per cent since March 2009 while the most recent addition to the asset purchase programme was £50bn in July 2012.
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In last month's meeting, three members of the committee, including governor Mervyn King, voted for an increase of £25bn to £400bn but were outvoted.
Stephen Gifford, CBI director of economics, said: "Given first quarter GDP came in above the Bank's forecast, we expected the MPC to keep the policy stance unchanged this month.
"Barring any nasty surprises, the MPC is likely to remain on hold until Governor Carney's arrival in July. More policy certainty may then be established, potentially supporting business and household confidence."
The minutes of this week's meeting will be published on 22 May and the next meeting will be held on 5-6 June.
The committee will also publish an inflation report on 15 May to outline the committee's forecast for inflation.
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At the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee on 8-9 May, the committee voted to leave the policy unchanged.
It is now expected by economists that there will no major changes until incoming Governor Mark Carney takes over in July.
July will also see the committee adopt a new policy of using "unconventional monetary tools" to boost the economy, as outlined in March's Budget.
Interest rates have remained at 0.5 per cent since March 2009 while the most recent addition to the asset purchase programme was £50bn in July 2012.
{desktop}{/desktop}{mobile}{/mobile}
In last month's meeting, three members of the committee, including governor Mervyn King, voted for an increase of £25bn to £400bn but were outvoted.
Stephen Gifford, CBI director of economics, said: "Given first quarter GDP came in above the Bank's forecast, we expected the MPC to keep the policy stance unchanged this month.
"Barring any nasty surprises, the MPC is likely to remain on hold until Governor Carney's arrival in July. More policy certainty may then be established, potentially supporting business and household confidence."
The minutes of this week's meeting will be published on 22 May and the next meeting will be held on 5-6 June.
The committee will also publish an inflation report on 15 May to outline the committee's forecast for inflation.
• Want to receive a free weekly summary of the best news stories from our website? Just go to home page and submit your name and email address. If you are already logged in you will need to log out to see the e-newsletter sign up. You can then log in again.
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