51AVÊÓÆµ

Bank of England holds base rate

The rate will be held at 5.25 per cent after a fall in inflation

Alex Black
clock • 1 min read
Bank of England holds base rate

The Bank of England (BoE) has announced a hold on interest rates, keeping rates steady at 5.25 per cent. Its Monetary Policy Committee voted by a narrow margin of five to four to hold rates, with four voting for a 0.25 per cent rise.

It follows 14 consecutive interest rate rises as BoE tried to get inflation under control.

Overall inflation fell to 6.7 per cent in the year to August, down from 6.8 per cent in July, according to the Office of National Statistics.

See also: House prices fall for fourth consecutive month as UK sees end to Covid 'country escape' boom

VIDEO: Top tips on diversifying from industry experts

Food prices including milk, bread and vegetables decreased during the same month but economists had expected a rise following hikes in petrol and diesel prices.

More on Politics

Report highlights need for 'full' consultation on IHT changes

Report highlights need for 'full' consultation on IHT changes

Should the Government heed calls from politicians and farmers to pause IHT changes until 2027 and hold a full consultation with the sector?

Chris Brayford
clock 02 February 2026 • 6 min read
Draconian planning policy hampers farm resilience as slurry season begins, says UFU

Draconian planning policy hampers farm resilience as slurry season begins, says UFU

The union says harsh weather conditions and a broken planning system have created a perfect storm for Northern Irelands farmers

clock 31 January 2026 • 2 min read
On US soil: 'US agriculture is not feeling we are being treated fairly'

On US soil: 'US agriculture is not feeling we are being treated fairly'

With the world’s focus on Donald Trump and US politics, how are American farmers feeling? One Ohio farmer gives his insight on the reality of the situation

Alex Black
clock 30 January 2026 • 4 min read