The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) sets monetary policy to meet the 2% inflation target, and in a way that helps to sustain growth and employment. The MPC adopts a medium-term and forward-looking approach to determine the monetary stance required to achieve the inflation target sustainably. At its meeting ending on 17 September 2025, the MPC voted by a majority of 7–2 to maintain Bank Rate at 4%. Two members voted to reduce Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 3.75%. The Committee voted by a majority of 7–2 to reduce the stock of UK government bond purchases held for monetary policy purposes, and financed by the ... (full story)

The Bank of England has voted to maintain the base interest rate at 4%, despite some signs the housing market is slowing down. Members of the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) and Governor Andrew Bailey (main picture) voted 7-2 for a hold. The Office for National Statistics released figures yesterday showing a 2.8% increase in house price growth in the year to July, down from 3.6% the previous month. And this decision to hold the rate is despite a stubborn inflation figure, which remained static at 3.8% yesterday, well above the Bank’s 2% target. There will be another Bank interest rate decision on 6 November, ... (full story)