The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted 7-2 to hold Bank Rate at
3.75% for a fourth consecutive meeting, saying the strength of rising
inflationary pressure remains uncertain and a hike would be premature. Chief
economist Huw Pill and member Green preferred a 25bp rise. The 7-2 split matched
market expectations. Governor Bailey described the committee's stance as an
active hold that, relative to market pricing that expected cuts before the
conflict, amounts to effective tightening. Pill and Green said a rate rise now
would help anchor household inflation expectations; the BOE's quarterly survey
shows household expectations at their highest since at least 2009. A preliminary
US–Iran ceasefire that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lower oil prices
would be supportive for the gas-import-dependent UK, but Bailey warned:
'Whatever happens next, higher energy prices over the past four months have
already meant some inflationary pressure is in the pipeline.' The BOE now
expects Q4 inflation above 3.25% (May forecast 2.8%), still below two of April's
three scenario paths at 3.6–3.7%. Potential growth was nudged up to 0.2% per
quarter from 0.1% previously.