07/12/2006

UK interest rates stay at 5%

The Bank of England has left interest rates unchanged at 5%.

The news comes as no surprise to analysts as the decision was widely anticipated.

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee raised the interest rate in August and again in October in an effort to curb inflation, which is still running at above the government's target figure of 2%.

There is concern that inflation may edge higher as wage growth increases.

However, although a rise is expected early next year, it is uncertain when this will occur.

(SP/CD)

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