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Bank of England may cut rates, says chief economist Bank of England may cut rates, says chief economist
(35 minutes later)
The Bank of England may have to cut rates to combat low inflation, rather than raise them as its next move, its chief economist Andy Haldane has said.The Bank of England may have to cut rates to combat low inflation, rather than raise them as its next move, its chief economist Andy Haldane has said.
UK inflation may not pick up in the second half of the year, and there are risks of fallout from emerging economies, he said in a speech.UK inflation may not pick up in the second half of the year, and there are risks of fallout from emerging economies, he said in a speech.
Should those risks materialise, a rate cut would be a viable option, he said.Should those risks materialise, a rate cut would be a viable option, he said.
UK interest rates have been held at a record low of 0.5% for more than six years.UK interest rates have been held at a record low of 0.5% for more than six years.
Softening employment figures and weakening surveys on manufacturing and construction output suggested growth in the UK could slow in the second half of the year and inflation might not pick up as expected.Softening employment figures and weakening surveys on manufacturing and construction output suggested growth in the UK could slow in the second half of the year and inflation might not pick up as expected.
Furthermore, problems in emerging markets could be drag on UK growth and the headwinds from those economies were unlikely to abate any time soon, Mr Haldane added.Furthermore, problems in emerging markets could be drag on UK growth and the headwinds from those economies were unlikely to abate any time soon, Mr Haldane added.
"The balance of risks to UK growth, and to UK inflation at the two-year horizon, is skewed squarely and significantly to the downside," Mr Haldane said."The balance of risks to UK growth, and to UK inflation at the two-year horizon, is skewed squarely and significantly to the downside," Mr Haldane said.
The case for raising interest rates was "some way from being made", he added.The case for raising interest rates was "some way from being made", he added.
"Were the downside risks I have discussed to materialise, there could be a need to loosen rather than tighten the monetary reins as a next step to support UK growth and return inflation to target," he said."Were the downside risks I have discussed to materialise, there could be a need to loosen rather than tighten the monetary reins as a next step to support UK growth and return inflation to target," he said.
According to Howard Archer of IHS Global Insight, Mr Haldane has "cemented his place as the arch-dove" on the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).
"While there is currently considerable uncertainty as to when the Bank of England is likely to start raising interest rates, Andy Haldane's stance looks isolated within the MPC," said Mr Archer.
His views seem to be at odds with fellow MPC member Ian McCafferty, "who has voted for an interest rate hike from 0.50% to 0.75% at both the August and September MPC meetings".
"Furthermore, Martin Weale and Kristin Forbes have both indicated their belief that interest rates will need to rise sooner rather than later," he added.