Bank of England Implements Aggressive Measures to Combat Inflation, Raises Interest Rates to Pre-2008 Highs
Marking a decisive response to the persistent inflationary pressures in the United Kingdom, the Bank of England took anticipated action on Thursday by raising its key interest rate to 4.5%, reaching the highest level recorded since late 2008.
This deliberate move, constituting the twelfth consecutive rate hike, was widely expected in financial circles, with a mere two out of the nine members of the Monetary Policy Committee advocating for unchanged rates.
Parallel to other central banks across the globe, the Bank of England has been resolute in its determination to rein in inflation, which has been fueled by the ongoing Ukraine crisis, triggered by Russia’s intervention over the past year. The resulting escalation in energy prices has permeated the broader spectrum of goods and services, leading to amplified costs.
Embarking on this trajectory from historically low levels of 0.1% in late 2021, the Bank of England aims to curtail rising prices that have primarily stemmed from post-lockdown supply chain bottlenecks and the persistent conflict in Ukraine.
The elevation of interest rates amplifies the cost of borrowing for households and businesses, potentially constraining expenditure and alleviating the upward pressure on prices.
Endowed with the responsibility of maintaining inflation at a steady 2%, the bank foresees a likely decrease in inflation to approximately 5% by the year’s end as the year-on-year energy price comparisons normalize.
While the anticipated reduction in energy prices will contribute to abating inflation, the bank emphasizes that food prices have remained elevated for a protracted period, primarily due to the Ukrainian conflict and suboptimal harvests in select European nations. Consequently, the projected decline in inflation for this year is expected to occur at a more gradual pace than previously envisioned.
The interest rate hike exacerbates the burden on borrowers, especially those with mortgages linked to the bank’s benchmark rate. While many homeowners will be sheltered from recent increases due to fixing their mortgages at exceptionally low rates during the pandemic, those approaching the expiration of their fixed-rate terms in the upcoming months will face significantly higher borrowing costs when pursuing new agreements.
In contrast to the United States, where homeowners often secure mortgage rates for extended periods of up to 30 years, it is customary in the United Kingdom to fix rates for shorter durations, necessitating the search for fresh arrangements. Consequently, homeowners who previously locked in rates below 1% three years ago may now confront a fivefold surge in their rates.
Furthermore, the bank conveyed a relatively optimistic outlook by stating that the British economy is expected to evade a recession this year. This projection is attributed partly to the recent decline in energy prices, the resurgence of economic activity in China following the relaxation of its zero-COVID policy, and a more favorable environment in Europe compared to earlier forecasts.
Despite the improved prospects for growth, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey underscored the persistent weakness in the level of expansion. He refrained from offering explicit indications regarding future rate hikes, emphasizing that their occurrence would hinge on the speed at which inflation recedes in the ensuing months.
Financial markets anticipate the possibility of one or two additional quarter-point increases during this cycle, although the trajectory will depend on the behavior of inflation.
“While we maintain the belief that today’s hike concludes this tightening cycle,” noted Luke Bartholomew, senior economist at asset management firm abrdn, “the risks lean toward higher rates, and for policy to remain unchanged at these levels, inflation will need to demonstrate compliance in the months ahead.”
