Patrick O'Donnell
Guest Reporter
The Bank of England's chief economist has warned that future interest rate cuts could be affected by global "disturbances" in the economy following Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election.
Huw Pill, a member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), said while rate cuts would be possible if inflation continues to ease, this outlook depends on avoiding major economic disruptions.
"There are plenty of potential sources of big disturbances," Pill cautioned.
His comments came just after the Bank reduced interest rates from five per cent to 4.75 per cent, continuing the central bank's recent shift in monetary policy.
Governor Andrew Bailey said the recent rate cut was made possible due to inflation falling below the Bank's two per cent target.
However, he emphasised that future rate reductions would need to follow a gradual approach.
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The cautious stance is partly driven by the need to assess the impact of tax rises announced in last month's Budget.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled multiple tax hikes, including raising the rate paid by employers on National Insurance contributions.
Bailey also highlighted concerns about the fragmentation of the world economy.
He refrained from directly speculating about potential policies that might be introduced by Trump in the coming year.
Trump's campaign pledge to impose tariffs on all US imports has raised concerns about potential economic impacts on the UK.
This is a tax imposed by a Government on imported or exported goods with the Republican Party leader floating a universal 20 per cent levy on foreign companies coming into the US.
The president-elect described tariffs as "the most beautiful word in the dictionary" during his campaign.
Economists suggest these proposed trade measures could put pressure on UK goods prices.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The impact of such tariffs could create additional challenges for British businesses and consumers, contributing to the economic disturbances that Pill warned about.
These trade policy uncertainties represent one of the key global factors that could influence future rate decisions.
Pill, as a key member of the nine-person Monetary Policy Committee, emphasised that the Bank would closely monitor financial markets for responses to global shocks.
He stressed the importance of looking beyond temporary inflation impacts from the Budget. Instead, the Bank would focus on "underlying and more persistent components of inflation," he said.
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Huw Pill, a member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), said while rate cuts would be possible if inflation continues to ease, this outlook depends on avoiding major economic disruptions.
"There are plenty of potential sources of big disturbances," Pill cautioned.
His comments came just after the Bank reduced interest rates from five per cent to 4.75 per cent, continuing the central bank's recent shift in monetary policy.
Governor Andrew Bailey said the recent rate cut was made possible due to inflation falling below the Bank's two per cent target.
However, he emphasised that future rate reductions would need to follow a gradual approach.
Do you have a money story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
The cautious stance is partly driven by the need to assess the impact of tax rises announced in last month's Budget.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled multiple tax hikes, including raising the rate paid by employers on National Insurance contributions.
Bailey also highlighted concerns about the fragmentation of the world economy.
He refrained from directly speculating about potential policies that might be introduced by Trump in the coming year.
Trump's campaign pledge to impose tariffs on all US imports has raised concerns about potential economic impacts on the UK.
This is a tax imposed by a Government on imported or exported goods with the Republican Party leader floating a universal 20 per cent levy on foreign companies coming into the US.
The president-elect described tariffs as "the most beautiful word in the dictionary" during his campaign.
Economists suggest these proposed trade measures could put pressure on UK goods prices.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- US interest rates fall for second time as Trump ends spat with Fed boss
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- Bank of England cuts interest rate - what does it mean for my money?
The impact of such tariffs could create additional challenges for British businesses and consumers, contributing to the economic disturbances that Pill warned about.
These trade policy uncertainties represent one of the key global factors that could influence future rate decisions.
Pill, as a key member of the nine-person Monetary Policy Committee, emphasised that the Bank would closely monitor financial markets for responses to global shocks.
He stressed the importance of looking beyond temporary inflation impacts from the Budget. Instead, the Bank would focus on "underlying and more persistent components of inflation," he said.
Find Out More...