The Bank of England has announced its rate cut of 0.25 percentage points, reducing the base rate from 5 per cent to 4.75 per cent. The decision, voted 8-1 by the Monetary Policy Committee, is the second rate cut to be announced by Threadneedle Street since the inflation crisis began.
Markets were expecting a rate cut today, after the Bank held rates in September. The BoE has been clear that bringing down the base rate will be a slow and steady process, as the Committee continues to assess the impact of lower rates on the economy and potential inflationary effects. This ‘gradual approach’ was reconfirmed today in the MPC’s minutes, as inflation is expected to rise slightly above target by the end of the year, to around 2.5

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