Thursday, 5 November 2026 Updated 58 min ago
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Bank of England lifts rates to 4% as war‑driven inflation spikes

The Bank of England raised its base interest rate to 4%, the first hike in more than three years, The Guardian reported.

Image accompanying the story: Bank of England lifts rates to 4% as war‑driven inflation spikes
Image: Photograph: Thomas Krych/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock · via The Guardian

The Bank of England raised its base interest rate to 4%, the first hike in more than three years, The Guardian reported. The move, approved by eight of the nine members of the monetary policy committee, follows a budget announcement and comes as the Iran war pushes energy prices higher, fueling inflation.

The committee warned that another increase is likely as it seeks to curb the surge in prices linked to the conflict. While most members supported the modest rise from 3.75%, Catherine Mann, the ninth member, argued for a larger half‑point jump.

The decision reflects the central bank’s effort to balance the need for price stability against the economic strain caused by higher energy costs.

Why it matters

Higher rates aim to tame inflation that has risen sharply due to war‑related energy price increases.

Key details

Location
United Kingdom · Europe
Reported by
The Guardian
First reported
Key names
Bank of England, MPC, Iran, Business
Section
Business
Figure cited
Eight members of the Bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC) voted for the move, which takes the base rate from 3.75% to 4%. (The Guardian)

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

Read the full story at The Guardian

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