When Bank of England officials meet next month to discuss interest rates, the betting is that today’s inflation number, showing a forecast-busting 4.2% rise in October, should convince them to respond with an increase in the cost of borrowing.
If they do, the decision might appear inconsistent.
The highest level of annual price increases for a decade was forecast by the Bank of England’s nine-strong monetary policy committee (MPC) when it met earlier this month. The MPC said it envisaged inflation rising to 5% next year – and yet shocked investors by refusing to raise interest rates off the floor.
A month, though, is a long time in world of monetary policy.
There is a sense now that the Bank’s job of maintaining price stability is being
Read more on theguardian.com