Category archives: Economic Review

Prospect of rate cut moves closer  While last month once again saw the Bank of England (BoE) leave interest rates unchanged at a 16-year high, the minutes to the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting signalled a notable change in tone and economists now view a rate cut as the most likely outcome when the […]

UK growth rate at two-year high  Last month’s release of first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) statistics confirmed the UK economy has now exited the shallow recession entered during the latter half of last year, while survey evidence suggests private sector output has continued to expand across the past two months.  The latest GDP data published […]

UK economic recovery gains momentum Official statistics published last month showed the UK economy returned to growth in the first two months of 2024, while more recent survey data suggests the recovery from last year’s shallow recession continues to gather momentum. The latest gross domestic product (GDP) figures released by the Office for National Statistics […]

Short-term growth forecasts upgraded New economic predictions produced by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) suggest the UK economy is set to grow by more than previously expected over the course of the next two years. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled the independent fiscal watchdog’s latest forecasts during his Spring Budget delivered to the House of […]

Survey suggests recession already over Official statistics released last month showed the UK economy fell into recession during the second half of last year, although more recent survey data does suggest the recession could already be over. The latest gross domestic product (GDP) figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the economy […]

UK economy rebounds in November Official statistics show the economy returned to growth in November, although analysts believe it remains a close call as to whether or not the UK will once again manage to avoid a recession. Figures released last month by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the UK economy grew by […]

Inflation drop sparks rate cut speculation A surprise sharp decline in the rate of inflation has ignited hopes of an interest rate cut by spring, despite the Bank of England (BoE) insisting it is ‘too early’ to speculate about when rates might be reduced. Following its latest meeting, which concluded on 13 December, the BoE’s […]

OBR cuts economic growth forecast Revised forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) suggest the UK economy is set to grow more slowly over the next two years than previously predicted. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled the independent fiscal watchdog’s latest projections during his Autumn Statement delivered on 22 November. The updated forecast predicts the […]

Inflation rate holds steady The Bank of England (BoE) Governor has described the latest batch of inflation statistics as “quite encouraging,” adding that he expects a “noticeable drop” in the headline rate when the next set of data is released later this month. Figures recently published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that […]

Rate-hike pause as inflation dips  Last month, the Bank of England announced a pause in its long run of interest rate rises following an unexpected dip in the UK headline rate of inflation and ‘increasing signs’ that higher rates were starting to hurt the real economy.  Following its latest meeting, which concluded on 20 September, […]