Bank sanctions December rate rise The Bank of England (BoE) sanctioned a 15-basis-point increase in its main interest rate on 16 December and warned that inflation is now likely to hit 6% by spring. At its latest meeting held in mid-December, the BoE’s nine-member Monetary Policy Committee voted by an 8-1 majority to raise Bank […]
Category archives: Economic Review
Economic Review – November 2021
Inflationary pressures mount Official statistics show the UK headline rate of inflation now stands at a 10-year high, with surveys pointing to further upward pressure as firms continue to report rapidly-rising cost burdens. Data released last month by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) 12-month rate – which […]
Economic Review – October 2021
OBR forecasts stronger growth The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has upgraded its UK economic growth forecast and is now predicting the economy will return to its pre-pandemic level six months earlier than previously expected. Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled the independent forecaster’s revised projections during his Budget statement delivered to the House of Commons on […]
Economic Review – September 2021
Upgrade to UK GDP growth The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revised UK economic growth for Q2 2021 to 5.5% from an original estimate of 4.8%. The UK’s level of GDP is now 3.3% below where it was pre-pandemic in Q4 2019, revised from the previous estimate of 4.4% below. Other ONS data indicates […]
Economic Review – August 2021
Strong second quarter growth The latest gross domestic product (GDP) figures showed that the UK economy grew strongly in the second quarter, although more recent survey evidence does suggest the recovery is losing momentum. Data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed the economy grew by 4.8% in the second quarter of this […]
Economic Review – July 2021
UK growth forecast upgraded The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has sharply increased this year’s growth forecast for the UK, although recent data does suggest the country’s strong economic rebound has begun to slow down. In its latest assessment of global economic prospects, the IMF highlighted a worrying divergence in fortunes between rich and poor nations, […]
Economic Review – May 2021
BoE upgrades growth forecast The Bank of England (BoE) has significantly increased its 2021 growth forecast, as survey evidence continues to highlight a strong economic rebound, fuelled by the easing of lockdown restrictions and rapid vaccine rollout. In early May, the BoE revealed its latest predictions for the UK economy, which included a growth forecast […]
