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UK Economy

United Kingdom

13 August 2010Strong growth in Q2 likely to be revised down and all three PMI surveys showed slowing activity in July. Headline inflation set to remain above target but underlying price pressures remain subdued, so base rates should stay on hold
15 July 2010Despite strong output data pointing to 0.6% rise in Q2 GDP, tax rises and spending cuts in June budget now expected to hold 2010 growth down to just 1.1%
16 June 2010GDP growth still forecast at just over 1% in 2010, but emergency budget will see spending cuts and tax rises, further constraining consumers and investment
17 May 2010Coalition government to announce emergency budget in June, with expected upward revision to Q1 growth helping to hold 2010 fiscal deficit close to 11% of GDP
14 April 2010Another solid rise in GDP likely in Q1 this year after 0.4% growth in Q4 2009, outpacing the Eurozone, but coming fiscal squeeze may keep growth subdued
17 March 2010Upward revision to Q4 GDP, but 2009 decline put at 5% and no sign of real recovery yet with private and public spending weak and investment still falling
15 February 2010Continuing signs of modest recovery as exports improve but, with major fiscal squeeze to come, rates likely to remain on hold this year
18 January 2010Economy probably returned to growth in Q4 and, with consumer outlook improving, 2010 GDP growth forecast raised to 1.2%
15 December 2009Surveys still point to growth, and stronger consumer demand should boost Q4, but upturn will be patchy in 2010 and fiscal deficit will remain high
17 November 2009Q3 GDP expected to be revised up, with most data indicating that recovery is under way, but growth seen at just 0.8% in 2010
15 October 2009Return to slight growth seen in Q3 despite drop in August manufacturing output, but patchy recovery means monetary policy will stay loose
14 September 2009Economy seen posting slight growth in Q3, but recovery will be uneven heading into 2010 as consumer demand struggles
14 August 2009GDP forecast for 2009 downgraded in response to a sharper than expected contraction in Q2. Despite encouraging survey data in July, we continue to expect a slow recovery as the retrenchments of businesses and consumers still have some way to run
15 July 2009Revision to Q1 means GDP may contract 4.4% this year despite increasingly positive survey signals for Q2 growth
15 June 2009Survey evidence and lower destocking point to better Q2, but weak consumer spending now suggests 4.1% GDP fall in 2009
15 May 2009GDP fall of 1.9% in Q1 means full-year contraction of 4% now likely despite signs that pace of decline is easing in Q2
17 April 2009Surveys point to some slowing in the pace of decline though GDP is expected to contract by 3.4% this year. Dire state of public finances leaves little room for further fiscal boost
13 March 2009Further monetary policy action from the BoE, but another sharp drop in Q1 GDP likely to lead to full-year decline of 3.2%
13 February 2009Likely further sharp drop in Q1 GDP and rising jobless expected to bring fresh monetary policy stimulus
15 January 2009Large-scale job losses seen as GDP looks set to fall by around 1% in both Q4 and Q1 despite continued monetary easing
15 December 2008GDP likely to fall 1% in Q4 as business and consumer sentiment slide; economy now seen contracting 2% in 2009
18 November 2008GDP seen falling 1% in 2009, and private consumption by 1.6%, despite further rate cuts and upcoming fiscal stimulus
14 October 2008GDP now seen contracting in 2009 as banking woes spread to other sectors despite bailout package and aggressive monetary easing
11 September 2008Continued decline in housing market and weak business survey data point to fall in Q3 GDP, but no rate cut yet
15 August 2008Touch-and-go whether the UK will escape a technical recession. Weak manufacturing despite more competitive pound and confidence very low in other sectors
23 July 2008Risk of recession rising as housing market collapse and high food and fuel prices undermine consumer demand
17 June 2008Growth forecasts revised lower as housing market problems intensify and further rate cuts are delayed as inflation moves higher
15 May 2008Rates left on hold as inflation jumps to 3%, Q1 GDP growth holds up better than expected and employment rises
17 April 2008Growth forecast for 2009 cut to 2.2% as credit crunch hits consumer demand and housing market – more interest rate cuts expected
14 March 2008Budget to have little impact - GDP growth still seen at 1.9% this year, but downside risks could rise if inflation stays high
22 February 2008Economy still some way from recession as survey data remain resilient, so market expectations of sharp rate cuts may be misplaced
18 January 2008GDP growth still seen slowing to 1.9% this year, but above-target inflation may mean fewer rate cuts than the market expects
14 December 2007Weak housing market and credit squeeze to cut GDP growth to 1.9% in 2008, reinforcing prospect of further rate cuts
15 November 2007Signs of slower growth in Q4 and subdued wage inflation suggest case for early cut in interest rates is rising
17 October 2007GDP growth still seen at 3% this year but expected slowdown in 2008 will be mitigated by impact of lower interest rates
26 September 2007Growth prospects weakened by financial market turmoil, adding to chances of early interest rate cut as inflation dips to 1.8%
1 August 2007Growth accelerates in Q2, as consumer demand holds up, as has the housing market, but can it last?
13 July 2007Interest rates set to rise further on inflation concerns but risk of overkill as wage pressures remain subdued
6 June 2007Further monetary tightening still expected but some signs of weaker demand could see rates falling by end-year
6 June 2007Further monetary tightening still expected but some signs of weaker demand could see rates falling by end-year
9 May 2007Interest rates to rise again this month, but could be falling by end-year as inflation distortions unwind
12 April 2007Buoyant services to support growth of 2.7% this year, but above-target inflation to trigger one more rate rise
13 March 2007Continued strong growth seen this year, but higher interest rates to slow domestic demand in 2008
6 February 2007Buoyant service sector drove GDP growth in Q4, looks set to underpin 2.7% growth in 2007
18 January 2007Interest rates expected to rise further in H1 as continued strong growth adds to inflation risks
1 December 2006Interest rates have probably peaked, with inflation seen returning to target and growth set to slow
31 October 2006Growth to ease in Q4, but still strong heading into 2007; rates set to be raised once more by end-year
30 October 2006Is buy-to-let demand supporting the housing market?
24 October 2006The inflation ‘wedge’
16 October 2006Estimating the UK’s potential
9 October 2006London’s strength emerges
2 October 2006Prospects for business investment
29 September 2006Growth forecast to slow to 2.3% next year on subdued domestic demand and inflation may be below target by mid-2007
25 September 2006Industry growth exceeding expectations
18 September 2006Inflation rises, with more to come, but 3% limit unlikely to be breached
18 July 2006Economy continues to grow at sustainable rate and inflation above 2.0% target; pressure still for interest rates to rise
28 June 2006Consumer demand and housing market strengthening again; together with small rise in inflation, maintains some pressure for higher rates
7 June 2006Consumer demand and business optimism rising so pressure for tighter monetary policy remains; but MPC likely to keep rates on hold this week
25 May 2006Growth remains around sustainable rate, but low spare capacity suggests pressure for higher interest rates may be mounting
8 May 2006Growth close to sustainable rate in Q1, surveys point to acceleration; markets pricing in interest rate rise by end-year but we see rates remaining on hold
20 April 2006Survey data suggest that growth is maintaining its recent strength, while house prices are rising strongly again; but still little prospect of early rate change
3 April 2006Economy growing around trend rate and inflation at target level; interest rates therefore unlikely to change for some time
23 March 2006Budget a macroeconomic non-event, Brown emphasises his commitment to invest in education; but medium-term borrowing forecasts still over-optimistic
27 February 2006Data volatile and growth outlook uncertain, but latest BoE Inflation Report paints positive picture; rates remain on hold for time being
3 February 2006Strong retail sales and rising house prices counterbalanced by higher unemployment; rates on hold for now but likely to be reduced later this year
13 January 2006Increasing retail sales and rising house prices in recent months suggest that growth may be picking up; interest rates on hold for now
6 December 2005Slower growth raises budget deficit but has not derailed public finances, but PBR hides significant long-term changes in taxation and spending
25 November 2005Domestic demand remains weak but some signs of recovery in housing market; bias probably remains towards further cut in interest rates
14 November 2005Growth remains soft but few signs that economy will slip into recession; with inflation above BoE 2.0% target, interest rates are on hold for some time yet
28 October 2005Growth continues to slow, leaving prospect of further rate cuts in coming months, but BoE still warning against expectations of significantly lower rates
17 October 2005Growth continues to slow amid mounting speculation that BoE could lower rates again soon; King warns about inflation risks, dampens some rate hopes
30 September 2005Consumer demand continues to slow, Brown admits that growth will be below budget forecast, at around 2.0-2.5%; interest rates likely to be lowered further
9 September 2005MPC leaves interest rates unchanged; considerable disagreement about whether rates will be cut again in next few months
20 July 2005Growth continues to slow, reinforcing expectations of lower interest rates in next few months
30 June 2005Interest rates likely to be cut towards end year due to continued weakness in domestic demand, with inflation pressures remaining benign
17 June 2005No major policy shift seen when Brown replaces Blair, but change in rhetoric, different stance on taxes and pension policy and more euroscepticism
8 June 2005Consumer demand remains weak but may yet rebound, so no interest rate cut until later in year despite benign inflation outlook
18 May 2005Lower growth forecasts for 2005-07 and unchanged inflation expectations suggest that next move in interest rates will be down, but no early change likely
28 April 2005Slowing retail sales suggest that growth has probably slowed, but inflation is rising; rates still on hold, easing in monetary policy likely later this year
5 April 2005Economic indicators still mixed, with some signs of slowdown amid some fears of inflationary pressure; no change in rates this week, possibly not this year
17 March 2005Budget sets stage for election with sweeteners for key parts of electorate; but overall fiscal stance unchanged and need for post-election tax increases remains
9 March 2005Economic activity indicators mixed, but growth probably slowing still, inflation low but picking up slowly; interest rates on hold this week and until after election
9 February 2005Growth sustained at slower rate as housing market stabilises; interest rates look set to remain on hold for some months, lower rates possible in H2
14 January 2005Inconclusive signals on state of consumer demand and extent of slowdown in economic growth; monetary policy on hold for some time yet
6 December 2004Few surprises in government’s Pre-Budget Report, sets scene for general election towards middle of next year
2 December 2004Today’s Pre-Budget Report comes against background of considerable uncertainty about growth and inflation prospects
4 November 2004Inflation remains benign despite high oil prices; risks to growth mean that interest rates will remain on hold for some months
8 October 2004Third successive fall in manufacturing and weakening survey data confirm economy slowing; MPC leaves rates on hold, prospects of another hike recede
8 September 2004Evidence of economic slowdown mounts ahead of MPC meeting; lower house prices and manufacturing/retail sales weakness should see rates on hold
12 July 2004Monetary policy focusing on house prices; chancellor to become more miserly in comprehensive spending review as public finances slip
16 June 2004Inflation jumps to 13-month high but underlying position still positive; MPC increasingly concerned about house price problem
6 May 2004House prices rising again and consumer demand remains strong; but offsetting reasons to suggest interest rates are not far from peak
18 March 2004Budget implies little change in short-term fiscal stance but new public spending plans heighten risk that higher taxes will be needed after election
8 March 2004Impact of EU enlargement on UK economy will be small, claims of major influx of migrants are exaggerated; new EU-8 account for less than 2% of UK exports
11 December 2003Pre-Budget Report: tough choices, or easy way out?
2 December 2003Trade gap with EU reaches all-time high in Q3 but cannot be explained by relative demand alone; is loss of non-price competitiveness to blame?
19 November 2003Changing demands on monetary policy ahead of switch to HICP inflation targeting and benign October inflation suggest unchanged rates in December
14 November 2003Growth remains soft but few signs that economy will slip into recession; with inflation above BoE 2.0% target, interest rates are on hold for some time yet
8 October 2003Economic history rewritten as H1 2003 weakness is revised away; despite stronger growth, interest rates to remain on hold until next year
23 June 2003Adopting harmonised inflation changes target and suggests scope for easier monetary policy, but in practice is unlikely to trigger interest rate cut
10 April 2003Budget a non-event from macroeconomic perspective and micro policies too small to make any difference; EMU looks to be ruled out for now
7 April 2003Limited scope for further spending, but higher taxes possible as substantial increases in public borrowing and weaker economic growth are expected
19 March 2003Fear of war takes toll on economy; but despite gloom the UK is well placed to ride it out, although scope for further budget measures is limited
28 January 2003Growth slows in Q4 but life remains good for consumers; despite gloomy warnings, fears about possible generalised crash in house prices are overplayed
28 November 2002Chancellor announces higher borrowing as expected, but remains optimistic on growth and its composition going forward
5 November 2002MPC meets amid talk of deflationary risks; these are overstated, but rates are expected to fall by end year
7 October 2002Housing market boom continues so don’t write off consumers just yet; MPC stands ready to cut rates should growth prospects deteriorate substantially
30 July 2002GDP posted quarterly growth of 0.9% in Q2, suggesting slowdown is over; but weaker Q3 likely and interest rates may fall further before rising
5 June 2002Productivity performance poor, but Treasury optimistic on trend growth
3 May 2002GBP entry into EMU at inappropriate rate could be costly and, once inside, economy would be more exposed to economic shocks
18 April 2002Budget spending increases funded by over GBP6bn of tax increases, with little impact likely on macroeconomy or interest rate outlook
13 March 2002Manufacturing recession continued in January as new economy sectors suffer; repo rate rise limited to 4.5% by end-year as inflationary pressures subdued
22 February 2002Blair hints at tax increases to fund NHS but stronger public finances offer scope for higher spending; lower wage growth means modest rate rise in 2002
18 January 2002December retail sales fall, but continuing consumer boom to see 0.25% Q4 GDP growth; inflation undershoot/manufacturing recession to limit rate rises
26 November 2001Will economic slowdown undermine Labour’s spending plans?
12 November 2001Labour prevarication over EMU may be stage-managed to win over Eurosceptics ahead of possible referendum, sound electoral tactics also
8 November 2001UK recessions – anatomy, causes and risks
9 October 2001Industry gloom to continue despite surprisingly upbeat monthly figures; public spending plans not threatened but PBR unlikely to see further fiscal loosening
7 September 2001Two-speed economy means MPC split the difference, rates on hold; Tories wrangle over new leader, government launches new education strategy
19 July 2001Disappointing wage and RPI data add to MPC caution about further rate cuts
9 July 2001Manufacturing slides in May, meaning flat Q2 GDP at best; but buoyant consumer demand means MPC will keep rates on hold after no change last week.
6 June 2001A rash of buoyant data and proximity of the election mean the MPC will leave interest rates on hold; bookies pay out on a Labour win
24 May 2001Labour set to win election on 7 June, the question is by how much; parties divided on tax and spend plans, also on EMU.
10 May 2001Announcement of interest rate cut today appears inevitable; 25 bp off rates is most likely outcome, political timetable precludes more aggressive easing.
26 April 2001CBI survey shows sharp drop in manufacturing confidence to lowest level in two years; nevertheless a mini-cycle remains the consensus forecast.
12 April 2001UK headline earnings growth hits annual 5 per cent in three months to February; March unemployment rate falls to 3.3 per cent, lowest since 1975
9 April 2001Foot-and-mouth disease has small direct impact but larger indirect effects; potential to shave up to 0.65 percentage points off GDP growth this year
28 March 2001Economy shakes off early stages of US slowdown, but manufacturing sector in particular is starting to feel exposed
9 March 2001Targeted tax cuts strengthen government position in run-up to election; should not prevent further interest rate cuts but may force rates higher next year
7 December 2000MPC to leave rates on hold, but slower growth means pendulum swinging towards easier policy in early 2001 as long as large pre-election tax cuts avoided
21 November 2000Slower GDP growth expected later this week will add to expectations of lower rates in early 2001; inflation data still very subdued
8 November 2000Weaker than expected output numbers add little to current knowledge, economic activity slows modestly; interest rates not moving higher
2 November 2000Weak survey data give further evidence of moderating growth and confirm interest rate peak; Chancellor to remain prudent in Pre-Budget Report
11 October 2000September retail inflation data disappoint but outturn below MPC projection, with producer prices subdued there is little pressure for interest rate hike
6 October 2000Official interest rates remain at 6 per cent as MPC reaffirms lack of enthusiasm for further tightening with prices under control but activity still buoyant
14 September 2000Price and earnings data encouraging, but inflation outlook clouded by other concerns; MPC may hold fire in October but further rate hike possible
8 September 2000Lack of MPC action suggests chances of further rate hike have diminished as evidence for continuing moderation in economic activity grows
10 August 2000MPC raises inflation profile and hints at further interest rate rises to come but lack of action to date suggests reluctance to move
7 August 2000Decision to leave interest rates on hold suggests fresh MPC forecasts relatively benign, but possibility of further hike should not be dismissed
27 July 2000CBI survey, latest trade figures show exports holding up well but evidence of burgeoning domestic demand worrying and could yet force up interest rates
25 July 2000Stronger than expected GDP data leave open possibility of higher interest rates with MPC likely to remain split as some members look towards easier policy
19 July 2000Comprehensive Spending Review has no impact on interest rates and is unlikely to fulfil aim of boosting re-election chances of Labour government
14 July 2000Disappointing price and ever-tighter labour market data relatively well received, despite deteriorating inflation outlook interest rates seem less likely to move
7 July 2000Continuing moderation in economic activity despite stronger industrial output supports view that interest rates have peaked; no MPC change again
30 June 2000Latest GDP figures and prospects for the second quarter suggest that MPC can tolerate further GBP weakness without raising interest rates again
14 June 2000Latest price indicators apparently benign, but sufficient to suggest that inflation is far from dead; a further interest rate rise remains on the agenda
8 June 2000No surprises as MPC keeps interest rates on hold, but output indicators and GBP slide leave open the possibility of another hike to come
22 May 2000MPC refocuses on domestic demand, with latest indicators suggesting that interest rates will remain on hold; more downside seen for the GBP
17 May 2000Underlying inflation benign as utility prices fall; data confirm that MPC can hold back from higher interest rates despite GBP slippage
12 May 2000Current weakness of GBP will raise expectations for a further interest rate hike; industrial output confounds expectations
4 May 2000Interest rate decision finely balanced with earnings growth a major concern; but the strength of the GBP makes no change the most likely outcome
20 April 2000MPC minutes show reluctance to raise interest rates but latest economic indicators suggest May increase more likely than not
24 March 2000MPC minutes, monthly data, budget considerations all point to a further rate hike in April, with little to stand in the way save further weak output numbers
22 March 2000Brown eschews tax cuts as budget surplus goes to the health service, debt repayment; but chances of interest rate hike next month rise slightly
17 March 2000Conflicting signals from retail sales and labour market data, but further interest rate rises still more likely than not
9 March 2000Weak industrial output numbers not fully explained by millennium effects or GBP strength, but make MPC rate hike most improbable
29 February 2000Detailed fourth quarter GDP data reveal worrying imbalances; risks to 3.0 per cent current year forecast now seen on the downside
24 February 2000MPC adopting less hawkish stance, despite recent worrying data, wary of sterling; outlook still for base rate peak of 6.50 per cent later this year
16 February 2000Price developments generally favourable, give little cause for higher interest rates; but still unlikely to prevent further MPC tightening
14 February 2000No immediate impact on monetary policy seen from Buiter standing down; unexpectedly weak output numbers increase pressure on MPC to hold back from further rate hikes
7 February 2000Portillos new role could prove poisoned chalice for him, it will alter the nature of the debate over the euro, conceivably lead to surprising shifts
1 February 2000Fourth quarter GDP data suggest February rate hike not pressing; MPC waiting for fresh forecasts, but hawks to get their way in the end; interest rates to peak at 6.50R0mid-year
26 January 2000Consumer price inflation slips further below the euro zone average, as the Bank of England contemplates another rate hike
20 January 2000Output and earnings numbers do not make convincing case for further interest rate rise; but fourth quarter GDP data might tip the balance
12 January 2000MPC rate hike likely but decision not clear-cut, developments over the New Year give little reason for immediate action, expectations for peak in rates unchanged

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