UK interest rates set to be held at 4.75% after inflation rises again
The IndependentFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy UK interest rates are expected to remain at 4.75%, with rising inflation and wage growth persuading the Bank of England’s policymakers to keep rate cuts on pause, experts think. Inflation rising above the target is one reason why we expect rate-setters to cut interest rates gradually Rob Wood, Pantheon Macroeconomics The Bank will also weigh up recent figures showing wage growth rose by more than expected in the three months to October, and separate figures showing the UK economy declined in October. Rob Wood, chief UK economist for Pantheon Macroeconomics, said: “Inflation rising above the MPC’s target is one reason why we expect rate-setters to cut interest rates gradually.” He said policymakers would have to factor into their decision “stronger-than-expected inflation and wage growth, offsetting weaker GDP growth signals”. The additional costs for employers in the form of higher national insurance and minimum wage rises looks set to reinforce the trend of escalating costs in the services sector Rob Morgan, Charles Stanley “Especially now fiscal policies revealed in the Budget could add fuel to the inflationary fire into the New Year,” he said.