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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2016/aug/04/bank-of-england-interest-rates-stimulus-inflation-report-business-live
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| Bank of England rate cut send pound sliding, but shares soar - live updates | Bank of England rate cut send pound sliding, but shares soar - live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.07pm BST | |
| 16:07 | |
| This is why future pensioners, and savers, are in such a bind: | |
| Since Brexit (voted for by pensioners) UK 10y yield has plunged from 1.40% to record low 0.65%...decimating pensions pic.twitter.com/CtVUoufWuF | |
| Updated | |
| at 4.19pm BST | |
| 3.59pm BST | |
| 15:59 | |
| Savers must 'reassess' strategy after rate cut | |
| Holly Mackay, founder and MD of Boring Money, is urging savers to be proactive, rather than simply accept even lower returns on their funds: | |
| Anyone with cash savings has to reassess this strategy as interest moves from poor, to dire. | |
| Many Brits have an aversion to the stock market but it’s time to ask if we’re just shooting ourselves in the financial foot. Investing online is cheaper, more reputable and easier to do than ever. Mortgage hunters may find some good deals although some providers have already factored an assumed cut over the summer into existing rates.” | |
| Cash savers be like... #BoE pic.twitter.com/c5xxioJTPI | |
| Updated | |
| at 4.02pm BST | |
| 3.56pm BST | |
| 15:56 | |
| How pensions have been hammered by low rates | |
| Financial services group Hargreaves Lansdown have sent over a chart that shows, in alarming detail, how pension pots have been hit by record low borrowing costs. | |
| It shows how the purchasing power of a £100,000 annuity has been steadily eroded, meaning that people who retire today get much less than those who retired in 2003: | |
| Tom McPhail, their head of retirement policy, says it isn’t sustainable. | |
| “Monetary policy is proving to be pretty unpleasant medicine for pension schemes. It may be supporting asset values and keeping the economy turning but it is also driving down annuity rates and driving up final salary scheme liabilities. | |
| This means employers are having to pump more and more money into final salary schemes and individuals are having to save more and more into their personal pension if they want to buy an annuity. Too much of this medicine is not healthy for anyone’s finances and for final salary schemes in particular, there is a risk that it may actually be killing the patient. The Government is going to have to intervene soon.” | |
| 3.46pm BST | |
| 15:46 | |
| Salman Ahmed, chief investment strategist at Lombard Odier Investment Managers, believes today’s stimulus package is a real game-changer. | |
| “The announcement today from the Bank of England that interest rates were to be cut was not surprising after much debate and disappointing economic fundamentals in the lead up to and following Brexit. What did surprise was the aggressive package of quantitative easing unveiled, encompassing both government and corporate bonds, and additional term funding for banks. This was along with the indication from Mr Carney in his press conference that negative interest rates are not on the long-term agenda, but we can expect further easing via direct asset purchases. | |
| “This an important change in emphasis and is likely a result of global monetary policy shift we have been witnessing in recent months. | |
| 3.44pm BST | 3.44pm BST |
| 15:44 | 15:44 |
| Campaigners who argued, in vain, for Britain to stay in the European Union are arguing that their warnings have been proved accurate. | Campaigners who argued, in vain, for Britain to stay in the European Union are arguing that their warnings have been proved accurate. |
| Chuka Umunna MP, Chair of Vote Leave Watch, says: | Chuka Umunna MP, Chair of Vote Leave Watch, says: |
| “It’s clear that quitting the European Union has been a hammer-blow for working people across Britain. Thanks to the impossible promises of Vote Leave Tories like Boris Johnson, David Davis and Liam Fox people around the country will face job losses, higher prices, and falling pay packets – while they enjoy a promotion and sit around the cabinet table. | “It’s clear that quitting the European Union has been a hammer-blow for working people across Britain. Thanks to the impossible promises of Vote Leave Tories like Boris Johnson, David Davis and Liam Fox people around the country will face job losses, higher prices, and falling pay packets – while they enjoy a promotion and sit around the cabinet table. |
| “The promises of Tory Leavers that Brexit would lead to higher growth and more jobs have never seemed so hollow. The myths told by senior figures in Theresa May’s new government will result in working people being worse off. They need to be held to account for the damage they have done to our economy. | “The promises of Tory Leavers that Brexit would lead to higher growth and more jobs have never seemed so hollow. The myths told by senior figures in Theresa May’s new government will result in working people being worse off. They need to be held to account for the damage they have done to our economy. |
| 3.26pm BST | 3.26pm BST |
| 15:26 | 15:26 |
| Three months ago, the Bank of England had expected the UK’s jobless rate to keep falling. Not any more... | Three months ago, the Bank of England had expected the UK’s jobless rate to keep falling. Not any more... |
| Thanks, Brexiteers. pic.twitter.com/AmxVak80Uo | Thanks, Brexiteers. pic.twitter.com/AmxVak80Uo |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.27pm BST | at 3.27pm BST |
| 3.21pm BST | 3.21pm BST |
| 15:21 | 15:21 |
| From the City, Conner Campbell of SpreadEx explains how the markets have reacted to today’s news: | From the City, Conner Campbell of SpreadEx explains how the markets have reacted to today’s news: |
| Well it looks like the Bank of England certainly delivered, at least from the market’s points of view, satisfying both parts of its ‘Super Thursday’ moniker for the first time since the title’s inception. | Well it looks like the Bank of England certainly delivered, at least from the market’s points of view, satisfying both parts of its ‘Super Thursday’ moniker for the first time since the title’s inception. |
| So, to the nuts and bolts of what the central bank announced this afternoon: a unanimous decision saw the headline interest rate cut from 0.5% to 0.25%, while everyone but Kristin Forbes voted for up to £10 billion in corporate bond purchases. The most controversial step was the £60 billion expansion (to £435 billion) of the current Q3 programme, an expansion opposed by Forbes, Ian McCafferty and Martin Weale. The MPC also unveiled a new £100 billion ‘term funding scheme’ designed to encourage banks to lend. | So, to the nuts and bolts of what the central bank announced this afternoon: a unanimous decision saw the headline interest rate cut from 0.5% to 0.25%, while everyone but Kristin Forbes voted for up to £10 billion in corporate bond purchases. The most controversial step was the £60 billion expansion (to £435 billion) of the current Q3 programme, an expansion opposed by Forbes, Ian McCafferty and Martin Weale. The MPC also unveiled a new £100 billion ‘term funding scheme’ designed to encourage banks to lend. |
| Carney claimed that there was a ‘clear case’ to act now, with the week’s woeful PMIs joined by fresh forecasts from the BoE that 250,000 people stand to lose their jobs post-Brexit. The Bank also now expects the UK economy to grow by a meagre 0.8% next year (against the 2.3% previously estimated), with inflation set to jump to 0.8% in 2016 and 1.9% in 2017. | Carney claimed that there was a ‘clear case’ to act now, with the week’s woeful PMIs joined by fresh forecasts from the BoE that 250,000 people stand to lose their jobs post-Brexit. The Bank also now expects the UK economy to grow by a meagre 0.8% next year (against the 2.3% previously estimated), with inflation set to jump to 0.8% in 2016 and 1.9% in 2017. |
| The news saw the markets behave just as you would expect; the FTSE surged 1.4%, climbing back above 6700 in the process, while the pound plunged by the same amount against both the dollar and the euro. What is interesting, however, is that this still leaves both instruments within the same trading brackets they have been bouncing around for the last few weeks, reflecting, perhaps, the extent to which today’s action from Carney and co. was expected. It also doesn’t necessarily give either the UK index or sterling any fresh direction for the coming weeks and months, leaving both at the mercy of the next wave of Brexit-impacted data. | The news saw the markets behave just as you would expect; the FTSE surged 1.4%, climbing back above 6700 in the process, while the pound plunged by the same amount against both the dollar and the euro. What is interesting, however, is that this still leaves both instruments within the same trading brackets they have been bouncing around for the last few weeks, reflecting, perhaps, the extent to which today’s action from Carney and co. was expected. It also doesn’t necessarily give either the UK index or sterling any fresh direction for the coming weeks and months, leaving both at the mercy of the next wave of Brexit-impacted data. |
| 3.20pm BST | 3.20pm BST |
| 15:20 | 15:20 |
| Barclays is passing today’s interest rate cut onto mortgage customers in full. | Barclays is passing today’s interest rate cut onto mortgage customers in full. |
| It says: | It says: |
| “Customers with Barclays Bank Base Rate Tracker mortgages and customers on the Barclays Standard Variable Rate will see their rates reduce by 0.25%. | “Customers with Barclays Bank Base Rate Tracker mortgages and customers on the Barclays Standard Variable Rate will see their rates reduce by 0.25%. |
| We will provide advance notification to those customers whose mortgage payments will change.” | We will provide advance notification to those customers whose mortgage payments will change.” |
| But the bank is also hinting that savers will take a hit..... | But the bank is also hinting that savers will take a hit..... |
| “Our savings rates are currently under review following the reduction to the Bank of England Base Rate. Once a decision has been made, we will contact the relevant customers to let them know what the changes mean for them, providing appropriate time for them to consider their options before changes come into effect.” | “Our savings rates are currently under review following the reduction to the Bank of England Base Rate. Once a decision has been made, we will contact the relevant customers to let them know what the changes mean for them, providing appropriate time for them to consider their options before changes come into effect.” |
| 3.11pm BST | 3.11pm BST |
| 15:11 | 15:11 |
| Hammond: Bank is protecting the economy from Brexit process | Hammond: Bank is protecting the economy from Brexit process |
| Chancellor Philip Hammond has told Sky News that today’s stimulus package should mean fewer people lose their jobs in the months ahead, as the Brexit process unfolds. | Chancellor Philip Hammond has told Sky News that today’s stimulus package should mean fewer people lose their jobs in the months ahead, as the Brexit process unfolds. |
| Hammond says: | Hammond says: |
| We are determined to build an economy that works for everyone. Right now we are trying to protect jobs and economic growth. | We are determined to build an economy that works for everyone. Right now we are trying to protect jobs and economic growth. |
| The measure that have been taken today are designed to ensure that any increase in unemployment as a result of the economic slowdown is kept to the absolute minimum possible. | The measure that have been taken today are designed to ensure that any increase in unemployment as a result of the economic slowdown is kept to the absolute minimum possible. |
| And to support economic growth through the next 18 months, two years, as we face this period of uncertainty as we negotiate our exit from the European Union. | And to support economic growth through the next 18 months, two years, as we face this period of uncertainty as we negotiate our exit from the European Union. |
| 2.56pm BST | 2.56pm BST |
| 14:56 | 14:56 |
| Here’s our news story about how two of Britain’s biggest banks haven’t, yet, agreed to pass on today’s rate cut in full: | Here’s our news story about how two of Britain’s biggest banks haven’t, yet, agreed to pass on today’s rate cut in full: |
| Mortgage lenders delay moves to pass on interest rate cut https://t.co/0kxZRg2MpF | Mortgage lenders delay moves to pass on interest rate cut https://t.co/0kxZRg2MpF |
| 2.50pm BST | 2.50pm BST |
| 14:50 | 14:50 |
| Larry Elliott, our economics editor, says Mark Carney has taken an “all action” approach to fighting a Brexit-induced recession. | Larry Elliott, our economics editor, says Mark Carney has taken an “all action” approach to fighting a Brexit-induced recession. |
| [The Bank] was slow to react to the great recession of 2008 and 2009, and was not going to be accused of making the same mistake twice. The risks of doing nothing were higher than the risks of providing oodles of fresh stimulus. | [The Bank] was slow to react to the great recession of 2008 and 2009, and was not going to be accused of making the same mistake twice. The risks of doing nothing were higher than the risks of providing oodles of fresh stimulus. |
| The backdrop to the four-part package is the assumption that there is going to be a marked slowdown in activity as a result of the 23 June referendum. Recession is avoided, but only just and only because the Bank’s nine-strong monetary policy committee (MPC) assumes that lower interest rates, a new scheme to encourage commercial banks to pass on lower borrowing costs and £70bn worth of additional money creation will boost activity over the coming months and years. | The backdrop to the four-part package is the assumption that there is going to be a marked slowdown in activity as a result of the 23 June referendum. Recession is avoided, but only just and only because the Bank’s nine-strong monetary policy committee (MPC) assumes that lower interest rates, a new scheme to encourage commercial banks to pass on lower borrowing costs and £70bn worth of additional money creation will boost activity over the coming months and years. |
| Related: This is the Bank of England's all-action response to Brexit | Related: This is the Bank of England's all-action response to Brexit |
| 2.40pm BST | 2.40pm BST |
| 14:40 | 14:40 |
| If you’re just tuning in, here’s our news story about the Bank of England’s historic rate cut: | If you’re just tuning in, here’s our news story about the Bank of England’s historic rate cut: |
| Related: Bank of England cuts interest rates to 0.25% and expands QE | Related: Bank of England cuts interest rates to 0.25% and expands QE |
| Here’s our explanation about quantitative easing - one of the four pillars of today’s stimulus package. | Here’s our explanation about quantitative easing - one of the four pillars of today’s stimulus package. |
| Related: Quantitative easing: all you need to know | Related: Quantitative easing: all you need to know |
| And here’s our Q&A about the rate cut: | And here’s our Q&A about the rate cut: |
| Related: UK interest rate cut: how it will affect you | Related: UK interest rate cut: how it will affect you |
| 2.26pm BST | 2.26pm BST |
| 14:26 | 14:26 |
| UK borrowing costs hit record lows | UK borrowing costs hit record lows |
| UK government bonds are also soaring, following the news that the Bank of England will buy another £60bn of gilts. | UK government bonds are also soaring, following the news that the Bank of England will buy another £60bn of gilts. |
| This has driven down the interest rate on 10-year gilts down to 0.68%, from 0.78%. | This has driven down the interest rate on 10-year gilts down to 0.68%, from 0.78%. |
| That means the UK government can borrow cheaper than ever before - making it a great time to borrow to invest..... | That means the UK government can borrow cheaper than ever before - making it a great time to borrow to invest..... |
| 2.23pm BST | 2.23pm BST |
| 14:23 | 14:23 |
| Shares surge, but pound slumps. | Shares surge, but pound slumps. |
| The London stock market has surged since the Bank of England announced its new stimulus package. | The London stock market has surged since the Bank of England announced its new stimulus package. |
| The FTSE 100 index has jumped by 97 points, or 1.5%. Financial stocks are leading the rally, with Aviva up 7%, Standard Chartered up 5.3%, and Prudential gaining 3.5%. | The FTSE 100 index has jumped by 97 points, or 1.5%. Financial stocks are leading the rally, with Aviva up 7%, Standard Chartered up 5.3%, and Prudential gaining 3.5%. |
| And the smaller FTSE index, which is more focused on the UK economy, has gained 1.3%. | And the smaller FTSE index, which is more focused on the UK economy, has gained 1.3%. |
| The pound continues to slide, though; sterling has lost two whole cents against the US dollar to $1.314. | The pound continues to slide, though; sterling has lost two whole cents against the US dollar to $1.314. |
| That’s a chunky fall, but still higher than immediately after the Brexit vote. | That’s a chunky fall, but still higher than immediately after the Brexit vote. |
| £/$ drops on #BankofEngland stimulus, but still not at previous low. Median analyst estimate for yr-end = $1.27 pic.twitter.com/8tacMa34aD | £/$ drops on #BankofEngland stimulus, but still not at previous low. Median analyst estimate for yr-end = $1.27 pic.twitter.com/8tacMa34aD |