Bank of England to Decide as an Oil Spike Revives Inflation Fears
The Bank of England sets interest rates on Thursday against a suddenly murkier backdrop, after the collapse of the US–Iran truce sent oil prices spiking again and revived fears of stubborn inflation. Economists still expect the Bank to hold Bank Rate at 3.75 per cent, but with a hawkish tone, and two more lenders raised mortgage rates ahead of the decision. Brent crude jumped back above $85 a barrel.
Only a day earlier, a slide in oil had strengthened the case for the Bank to sit tight, or even to consider cuts later in the year; the renewed spike complicates that picture, keeping the risk of a future rise on the table. Persistent services inflation has already made policymakers wary, and the swing in energy prices adds to the uncertainty. For mortgage-holders, the message is that borrowing costs are likely to stay high for some time yet. The decision comes at noon on Thursday. Watch the Bank’s guidance for how seriously it takes the oil shock.