United Kingdom

Regulators probe King speech leak

UK City regulators are investigating a sharp rise in futures trading a few hours ahead of Bank of England governor Mervyn King's speech to Bradford business leaders last week.

Bank of England MPC Minutes, 8 & 9 June

The minutes from the 8 and 9 June meeting of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee published on Wednesday 22 June showed policy makers voted 7- 2 to keep interest rates unchanged this month, with Charles Bean and Marian Bell preferring a 0.25%…

Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin, Summer 2005

The Bank of England released its Quarterly Bulletin Summer 2005, on 20 June. The Bulletin includes the article "The inflation-targeting framework from an historical perspective" which provides an historical perspective on the post-1992 inflation…

Comments by BoE's Nickell on OECD Paper

In a recent paper two OECD economists say "the absence of monetary policy autonomy seems to be associated with lower structural reform activity in large, more closed economies". Stephen Nickell commented on the paper at an ECB conference on Friday 17…

Bank of England - Annual Report 2005

The Bank of England published its Annual Report for 2005 on 15 June. In his Foreword governor Mervyn King said many of the initiatives arising from the fundamental review of Bank Strategy are already in train.

BoE's King on the UK economy

In a speech given on 13 June, Mervyn King of the Bank of England said consumer spending may bounce back after a weak first half and that inflation may accelerate.

Bell to leave Bank of England's MPC

The UK Chancellor, Gordon Brown, on Thursday 26 May announced the appointment of David Walton to the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to succeed Marian Bell. The appointment will take effect on 1 July.

BoE's Lambert on monetary policy-making

In a speech on 'Monetary policy-making: Fact and fiction' given on 24 May, Richard Lambert of the Bank of England reflects on his two years on the MPC and on the uncertainty inherent in setting monetary policy.

BoE's Tucker reappointed to MPC

Paul Tucker, Executive Director for Markets at the Bank of England, has been reappointed for a further three-year term as a member of the Monetary Policy Committee with effect from 1 June 2005.

Euroclear appoints John Trundle MD

Euroclear SA/NV announced on Thursday 19 May that John Trundle will become Managing Director and head of Risk Management for the Euroclear group, effective 6 June.

Mervyn King and the invisible hand

Bank of England governor Mervyn King delivered a speech this week in which he revealed his "Maradona theory of interest rates" based on the Argentine legend's second goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final.

BoE's Large on a framework for financial stability

In a speech on 'A framework for financial stability' given on 18 May, Andrew Large of the Bank of England cautioned that new entrants such as hedge funds and insurers have become active in derivatives at a time when the depth of the market is still…

BoE's King on monetary policy practice and theory

In a speech on 'Monetary policy: Practice ahead of theory' given on 17 May, Mervyn King of the Bank of England put forward his views on the virtues of an inflation targeting regime, attributing economic stability in the UK over the last decade to its…

Bank of England voted 8-1 to hold rates in May

The Bank of England's minutes from its May Monetary Policy Committee meeting released on Wednesday 18 May revealed policy makers voted 8- 1 to keep interest rates unchanged in May with Paul Tucker rejoining the majority, dropping his call for an increase.

BoE's Bell on communicating monetary policy

In a speech on 'Communicating monetary policy in practice' given on 17 May, Marian Bell of the Bank of England said that in her experience the MPC is straightforward in its communications. The MPC doesn't spin, nor is it disingenuous.

Bank of England Inflation Report, May 2005

The Bank of England published its May 2005 Inflation Report on 11 May. In the report the Bank said it expects CPI inflation to rise above the 2 pct target in the near term due to temporary factors before settling back to the 2 pct level over the two year…

UK's Brown says IMF gold sales plan 'on the table'

British finance minister Gordon Brown said on Monday 25 April that his proposal to sell the International Monetary Fund's gold to finance debt relief for poor countries was still on the British agenda in spite of opposition from the US.

Bank of England MPC Minutes, 6 & 7 April

The minutes from the 6 & 7 April meeting of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee published on Wednesday 20 April showed policy makers voted 7- 2 to keep interest rates unchanged this month, the same split as in March, with the majority saying…