This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/may/13/brexit-deal-delay-harm-uk-long-term-economic-outlook-says-bank-of-england

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Brexit delay will harm long-term economic outlook, says Bank Brexit delay will harm long-term economic outlook, says Bank
(10 days later)
A senior Bank of England policymaker has warned more delay to Brexit could further depress business investment and damage the long-term economic outlook.A senior Bank of England policymaker has warned more delay to Brexit could further depress business investment and damage the long-term economic outlook.
The Bank’s deputy governor, Ben Broadbent, said a delay beyond the new deadline of 31 October would harm Britain’s prospects as it faced the longest run of falling business investment since the second world war.The Bank’s deputy governor, Ben Broadbent, said a delay beyond the new deadline of 31 October would harm Britain’s prospects as it faced the longest run of falling business investment since the second world war.
Speaking to the Press Association, Broadbent said the failure to chart a clear path before the original leave date of 29 March had left firms in limbo over investment decisions and major projects.Speaking to the Press Association, Broadbent said the failure to chart a clear path before the original leave date of 29 March had left firms in limbo over investment decisions and major projects.
Theresa May says she will formally resign as the leader of the Conservative party, triggering a leadership contest.
The date past which Theresa May had said she would not countenance the UK staying in the EU. It now seems impossible the UK will have left by then, and so British MEPs will be taking up their seats in the European parliament.The date past which Theresa May had said she would not countenance the UK staying in the EU. It now seems impossible the UK will have left by then, and so British MEPs will be taking up their seats in the European parliament.
The Commons is expected to return from summer recess, with a new prime minister in place, after a Tory leadership campaign takes place over the summer.The Commons is expected to return from summer recess, with a new prime minister in place, after a Tory leadership campaign takes place over the summer.
The Labour and Conservative party conferences are held on consecutive weeks.The Labour and Conservative party conferences are held on consecutive weeks.
MPs return to parliament after the party conference season, 18 working days before the UK was due to leave the EU.MPs return to parliament after the party conference season, 18 working days before the UK was due to leave the EU.
The last polling date on which a new prime minister could hold a general election or second referendum – the final Thursday before the next meeting of the European council.The last polling date on which a new prime minister could hold a general election or second referendum – the final Thursday before the next meeting of the European council.
EU leaders hold the last meeting of the European council before the UK’s extension is due to expire.EU leaders hold the last meeting of the European council before the UK’s extension is due to expire.
The six-month article 50 extension expires.The six-month article 50 extension expires.
Rowena MasonRowena Mason
He said business investment has already been “feeling the consequences” and cautioned that delaying Brexit further means prolonging the uncertainty for hamstrung companies and risks hitting the wider economy.He said business investment has already been “feeling the consequences” and cautioned that delaying Brexit further means prolonging the uncertainty for hamstrung companies and risks hitting the wider economy.
Broadbent came to prominence last year following a rebuke from the head of the TUC, Frances O’Grady, for saying the economy was in a “menopausal stage” to illustrate how its best days were in the past.Broadbent came to prominence last year following a rebuke from the head of the TUC, Frances O’Grady, for saying the economy was in a “menopausal stage” to illustrate how its best days were in the past.
The former Goldman Sachs banker, who sits on the Bank’s interest rate setting committee, also sought to assure borrowers that any interest rate hikes would be gradual after the governor, Mark Carney, said last week that increases would need to be more frequent than financial markets expect.The former Goldman Sachs banker, who sits on the Bank’s interest rate setting committee, also sought to assure borrowers that any interest rate hikes would be gradual after the governor, Mark Carney, said last week that increases would need to be more frequent than financial markets expect.
His comments came as the fate of Britain’s EU withdrawal deal hung in the balance, with hopes of any progress in cross-party talks fading fast.His comments came as the fate of Britain’s EU withdrawal deal hung in the balance, with hopes of any progress in cross-party talks fading fast.
“It’s pretty clear that investment has been feeling the consequences of the uncertainty about Brexit and particularly the possibility of a bad outcome,” said Broadbent. He added that it “makes sense for firms to wait for news if they expect the news to come soon”.“It’s pretty clear that investment has been feeling the consequences of the uncertainty about Brexit and particularly the possibility of a bad outcome,” said Broadbent. He added that it “makes sense for firms to wait for news if they expect the news to come soon”.
“If you continually expect news to arrive imminently – a resolution – then that can have quite a depressing effect on investment,” he added.“If you continually expect news to arrive imminently – a resolution – then that can have quite a depressing effect on investment,” he added.
The Bank’s forecasts issued last week showed the UK is heading for the longest run of falling investment in the post-war era, having already declined for four quarters in a row.The Bank’s forecasts issued last week showed the UK is heading for the longest run of falling investment in the post-war era, having already declined for four quarters in a row.
If this continues indefinitely, it could spell bad news for the economy, said Broadbent. “We rely on investment for making us collectively more productive and better off. That’s clear,” he said.If this continues indefinitely, it could spell bad news for the economy, said Broadbent. “We rely on investment for making us collectively more productive and better off. That’s clear,” he said.
Interest rates: welcome to UK plc, an economy in limbo | Larry ElliottInterest rates: welcome to UK plc, an economy in limbo | Larry Elliott
But assuming a deal is struck, the Bank is forecasting a surge in pent-up spending.But assuming a deal is struck, the Bank is forecasting a surge in pent-up spending.
“We think there would be quite a strong bounce-back in investment,” he said. “These are not cancelled projects – it’s delay. If, as a business person, you’re assured that the worst thing is suddenly off the table, that has quite a powerful effect on your incentive to invest.”“We think there would be quite a strong bounce-back in investment,” he said. “These are not cancelled projects – it’s delay. If, as a business person, you’re assured that the worst thing is suddenly off the table, that has quite a powerful effect on your incentive to invest.”
Despite this rebound, the Bank is still forecasting business investment in three years’ time to be far short of the level the UK was due to achieve before the most recent delay and “miles behind” forecasts that preceded the EU referendum shock, according to Broadbent.Despite this rebound, the Bank is still forecasting business investment in three years’ time to be far short of the level the UK was due to achieve before the most recent delay and “miles behind” forecasts that preceded the EU referendum shock, according to Broadbent.
EconomicsEconomics
BrexitBrexit
Bank of EnglandBank of England
Foreign policyForeign policy
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content