The Bank of England held Bank Rate at 3.75% for a sixth consecutive meeting. The decision passed 6-3, unchanged from July; Green, Mann and Chief Economist Pill voted for a hike. Forward guidance was retained; the MPC said it will act if necessary and Governor Bailey warned that a prolonged Middle East conflict and larger second-round effects could require tighter policy. The committee said inflation risks are tilted to the upside versus July’s central projection, with little evidence so far of m

The Bank of England held Bank Rate at 3.75% for a sixth consecutive meeting. The decision passed 6-3, unchanged from July; Green, Mann and Chief Economist Pill voted for a hike. Forward guidance was retained; the MPC said it will act if necessary and Governor Bailey warned that a prolonged Middle East conflict and larger second-round effects could require tighter policy. The committee said inflation risks are tilted to the upside versus July’s central projection, with little evidence so far of material second-round effects; activity is slightly stronger. It expects inflation to reach 3.75% by end-2026 and for CPI to exceed 4% in early 2027. On QT, the Bank abandoned a plan to sell long-dated gilts and agreed a gradual exit averaging £46 bln/year (vs ~£70 bln in the past 12 months); the QT plan includes £20 bln/year of gilt sales and running down holdings via maturities. APF gilt auctions are suspended until April and the Bank will consider selling gilts back to the government rather than into the market. Market reaction: GBP/USD fell roughly 40 pips and 30-year gilt yields dropped to a three-week low.