Bank of England

A recent report on economic activity in Britain was stunningly anemic. It showed the U.K. economy actually contracted in the fourth quarter of 2010 by 0.5 percent. The troubling aspect was not just that it underwhelmed expectations, but that it comes at a time when inflation is rising to an uncomfortable level. Increasing prices have prompted discussions of a tightening in monetary policy by U.K. central bankers. Inflation rose to 3.7% in December, well above the official target of 2%, and s...

Shares in British banks were broadly up on the FTSE 100 in morning trading ahead of minutes from the Bank of England, expected today.

With flagging economies and worries about austerity measures further crimping growth, about the last thing central bankers from the U.K. and Europe need to consider is combating inflation. But that is exactly what is being heaped upon decision-makers at the moment.

Shares in British banks were broadly up on the FTSE 100 in morning trading as debt concerns in the eurozone were eased and ahead of a statement from the Bank of England.

A sharp recovery in the construction sector has led to stronger than expected GDP growth. Analysts had predicted growth of around 0.4 per cent, however today the Office for National Statistics has said that GDP growth actually reached 0.8 per cent in th third quarter.

The Bank of England is due to make its monthly decision on interest rates next Thursday after the BoE's Monetary Policy Committee decided 8-1 to keep rates at 0.5 per cent last month.

The British Bankers Association has said that net mortgage lending by banks grew significantly in August.

The Confederation of British Industry has said that it expects economic growth in 2011 to be slower than previously thought thanks to the Coalition government's emergency Budget. By contrast the CBI said it expected growth in the remainder of 2010 to be slightly faster than previously hoped for.

Labour's new leader and possible next UK Prime Minister, will be announced on the 25th of this month. The contest started from the moment Gordon Brown conceded defeat and stood down as Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party after May's General Election gave the Conservatives the largest number of seats, though not a clear majority. There are five candidates standing: Diane Abbott, Ed Balls, Andy Burnham, David Miliband and his brother, Ed Miliband. These candidates offer those e...

The Office for National Statistics has said that Consumer Price Index inflation was 3.1 per cent in August, flat from the previous month, when the figure fell for the third consecutive month.

The Bank of England's latest statistical release has shown flat mortgage approvals against a negative backdrop.

Interest rates could reach record highs adding up to £900 to the mortgage burden if Policy Exchange thinktank is correct in its thinking.

Shares in British banks were mixed in morning trading on the FTSE 100 after sharp drops caused by uncertainty about the state of the global recovery.

Shares in British banks were mixed in morning trading on the FTSE 100 as investors continued to act cautiously in the face of an uncertain global economic recovery.

UK Retail sales for July and inflation data is set to go in differing directions next week as retail sales slow despite recent gains due to World Cup and inflation falls.

CML, the Council of Mortgage Lenders has downgraded its forecasts for the year by £10 bn to £140bn after finding less confidence in the second half of the year than previously thought.

The pound has lowered to a one week low versus the dollar today amidst further evidence that the Bank of England are to keep interest rates low. The signs of 'softening' confidence in the economy is leading the central bank to lower its forecasts for next year to 2.5 pct from 3.4 pct in May.

Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England lowered forecasts for economic growth in UK after high Inflation prospects rose. The Bank now forecasts 2.5 percent next year - down from its forecast in May of 3.4 percent growth.

Annual growth in the weekly pay and bonuses has decreased according to the Office of National Statistics.

The UK's trade deficit narrowed in June as rising exports boosted hopes of a export-led recovery.

The Bank of England has held interest rates in a widely expected move for the seventeenth consecutive month as spare capacity in the recovery is expected to bring inflation down.

Bank of England policymakers greeted the upcoming interest rate meeting with a view that rates will need to rise sooner than expected as economists show that the recovery has faltered.

Falling consumer confidence by market researcher GfK NOP will lead to drop in consumer spending economists warn, as levels drop for fifth consecutive month despite a rise in retail sales.

The Bank of England is unlikely to raise interest rates 'near-term' after a series of economic data show that the MPC - the eight wise-men in charge of setting policy - are more likely to adopt a 'wait and see' approach to stabilise the UK recovery.

Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England, was cautious but hopeful today as he faced a Treasury Select Committee of MP's. The Governor of UK's Central Bank, in charge of financial regulation, King said:

The Bank of England has voted 7-1 against raising rates in their latest interest rate meeting, minutes reveal today.

UK economists are getting increasingly pessimistic on growth as a whole host of new data emerged today on the 'poor state' of public finances.

This week ahead sees a number of key economic announcements - retail sales for June, GDP figures for Q2 and a Rightmove house price survey released today.

Monetary Policy Committee, MPC member David Miles has reiterated his 'dovish' stance on UK's rates in a speech published Thursday.

The Bank of England has today announced an improvement in housing equity by £0.2 billion as a slow shift towards positive equity markets continued.