Saturday, 15 October 2022

Mini-budget Will Likely Mean Higher Interest Rates, Warns Bank of England Governor

THE GUARDIAN: Andrew Bailey says UK borrowers can expect to feel impact of Truss government’s tax and spending decisions

Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, says extra stimulus in last month’s mini-budget would force the Bank into tougher-than-expected action. Photograph: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

UK borrowers can expect to face higher interest rates as a result of the Truss government’s tax and spending decisions during its six weeks in power, the governor of the Bank of England has warned.

Despite the U-turn on corporation tax on Friday that saw the sacking of Kwasi Kwarteng as chancellor, Andrew Bailey said the extra stimulus provided in last month’s mini-budget would add to inflation and force the Bank into tougher-than-expected action.

Bailey said he had impressed on the new chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, the need for the public finances to be sustainable and that there had been a “clear and immediate meeting of minds”. Hunt used his first interview to stress mistakes made by Truss would require “difficult decisions” to be made. » | Larry Elliott | Saturday, October 15, 2022