United Kingdom
MPC minutes point to UK interest rates rise
Bank of England minutes released September 17 show that for a majority on the MPC, it was a "clear-cut" decision to leave rates unchanged in September. The decision to hold the Bank's main interest rate at 3.5 per cent was decisive, but for some members…
What's goin' on?
Bank of England MPC member Stephen Nickell has just accomplished the rather unenviable task of explaining what the switch from an inflation target based on the RPIX index to the HICP index, as used in Europe, actually means. Inflation indexes: who cares?…
Nickell on Two Current Monetary Policy Issues
In a speech on 'Two Current Monetary Policy Issues' given on 16 September Stephen Nickell of the Bank of England said in the long run, thanks to differences in computational methods and the absence of the housing depreciation and council tax elements,…
Why inflation targeting is an inexact science
An article in the Independent says that in the past stronger-than-expected growth might have been a good reason to raise interest rates but if, today, stronger than expected growth results from the same process as lower-than-expected inflation, all our…
BoE Nickell: HICP will not affect monetary policy
Speaking on September 16 Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee member Stephen Nickell said, according to AFX UK, that the move to the HICP measure of inflation later this year would have little noticeable difference in the short run and in the long…
Bank of England Inflation Attitudes Survey, Aug 03
The Bank of England's August 2003 quarterly Inflation Attitudes Survey was published on 15 September. Median expectations of inflation over the coming year were 2.2%, up from 2.0% in May. Respondents were asked to assess the way the Bank of England is …
...and Howard's end
Sir Howard Davies, who leaves the UK's Financial Services Authority at the end of this week to take up the job of head of the London School of Economics, sensibly ducks questions about whether he wanted to be governor of the Bank of England.
Bank of England holds key rate steady
The Bank of England maintained interest rates at 3.5% on Thursday 3 September, as widely expected, reports Associated Press.
BOE's tail between legs over IT fiasco
The Bank of England has approached its various account holders - including foreign central banks - with its tail between its legs after unforeseen problems arose in its payment system, according to the Financial Times. "It is now clear that the new…
UK MPC unanimous on August rate hold
All nine members of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee voted to leave interest rates on hold at 3.5%earlier this month, minutes of their meeting showed on Wednesday, reports the Financial Times. The quarter point cut in July had been…
Bank of England Minutes 6 & 7 August
Bank of England Minutes for meetings of 6 & 7 August in which the MPC voted unanimously to leave rates on hold.
Cricketing King's unlikely heroes
When Mervyn King was the guest of honour last week at the lunch-time chat on BBC Radio 4's cricket programme "Test Match Special", he revealed his affection for - and knowledge of - the game as well as a certain ambition for socialite status. The…
Bank of England Inflation Report, August 2003
The Bank of England published its quarterly Inflation Report for August 2003 on Wednesday 13 August. In the report the Bank said "The recovery in the world economy has been slow and uneven," and "Inflation is projected to run somewhat below target…
Pennant-Rea joins board of Financial News Group
Former deputy governor of the Bank of England Rupert Pennant-Rea is to become a non-executive director on the board of the Financial News Group, according to the Financial Times.
Bank of England cuts inflation forecast
The Bank of England's inflation report published on Wednesday 13 August showed that the Bank expects inflation to dip below the 2.5 percent target for most of 2004, after reaching 3 percent in April, Bloomberg reports.
UK Treasury reviews cash ratio deposit scheme
Conclusions and recommendations of a UK Government review of the cash ratio deposit scheme for financial institutions. The key conclusions of the review are: The cash ratio deposit scheme continues to be a suitable method of funding Bank of England…
Bank of England plans 'George Fellowships'
In recognition of Sir Edward George's achievements during his lifelong service, the Bank of England plans to introduce The George Fellowships which will be used to promote research in finance and economics.
Bank of England maintains interest rates at 3.5%
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee today voted to maintain the Bank's repo rate at 3.5%, 7 August.
UK interest rates left unchanged
The Bank of England left interest rates unchanged on Thursday at 3.5 per cent. The decision was widely predicted, notes the Financial Times, after the MPC made a quarter point cut at its last meeting.
An original career change
After a career in central banking, what is there left? A certain feeling of emptiness has been known to haunt ex-central bankers, which some have attempted to relieve by immersing themselves in academic studies, while others have resorted to the soothing…
Interview with Bank of England's Paul Tucker
In an interview with Dow Jones, Paul Tucker said that the outlook for the world economy remains uncertain. Tucker, who sits on the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee, spoke of a "delicately poised" domestic and international economy but said…
When great minds should not think alike
Committees are not necessarily the best recipe for good policy outcomes, this article in the Financial Times suggests. After Rachel Lomax joined the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee and immediately ruffled some feathers by dissenting from the…
Rachel Lomax and a new era for the MPC
Rachel Lomax's first Monetary Policy Meeting at the Bank of England may have labelled her a hawk for good from day one at the office. An article published by Dow Jones suggests her reluctance to vote for a rate cut when growth is weak may signal distinct…
Bank of England MPC Minutes 9/10 July 2003
Minutes of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee Meeting were released on 23 July for the meeting of 9 and 10 July 2003. The MPC acknowledged that it now seemed likely that UK growth in 2003 Q2 had been weaker than the Committee had assumed in…