Inflation analysis: Prices rising faster means higher borrowing costs for longer amid recession fears
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. The faster price gains for consumer goods like food and energy place inflation outside the Bank of England’s target rate of 2 per cent, which means a fall in interest rates is unlikely, economists say. The Bank of England meets to decide whether to cut interest rates again after it trimmed its base rate to 4.75 per cent last month. The ONS said last week that output fell by 0.1 per cent following the 0.1 per cent decline recorded in September, raising the spectre of a quarter of shrinkage if growth does not return. And on the other hand, domestic business confidence has collapsed in the wake of the Budget, which has increased costs and led to widespread reports of project cancellations and falling orders.” The Bank of England raised interest rates to 5.25 per cent last year, taking them to their highest rates since before the great financial crisis of 2007-8.