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UK interest rates: What the Bank of England's rise means for you UK interest rates: How high could they go?
(3 days later)
Interest rates have risen for a seventh time in a row with the Bank of England's benchmark rate at its highest level for 14 years. The fall in the value of the pound has led to predictions that the Bank of England will raise interest rates sharply.
The Bank of England has increased rates by half a percentage point to 2.25%. The pound dropped following the government's decision to cut taxes and borrow more.
The move is an attempt to slow the rate of rising prices. The last time interest rates were this high was during the 2008 financial crisis.
The increase will mean pain for many borrowers, particularly those with a mortgage.
Why does raising interest rates help lower inflation?
Prices are going up quickly worldwide, as Covid restrictions have been eased and consumers spend more.
Many firms have problems getting enough goods to sell. And with more buyers chasing too few goods, prices have risen.
There has also been a very sharp rise in oil and gas costs - a problem made worse by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Why are prices rising so quickly?
One way to try to control rising prices - or inflation - is to raise interest rates.
This increases the cost of borrowing and encourages people to borrow less and spend less. It also encourages people to save more.
However, it is a tough balancing act as the Bank does not want to slow the economy too much.
Since the global financial crisis of 2008, UK interest rates have been at historically low levels. Last year, they were as low as 0.1%.
How high could interest rates go?How high could interest rates go?
Even after the latest rise, further increases are also expected later in the year and into 2023. On 22 September, the Bank of England raised rates by 0.5 percentage points to 2.25% - the highest level for 14 years.
Last year, the Office for Budgetary Responsibility (OBR) - the government's independent economic adviser - looked at what might happen if the UK were to experience higher and longer lasting inflation. They could reach 6% next year. That estimate is based on the prices investors are paying to borrow money, according to data provider Bloomberg.
This can happen when people think price rises will continue - businesses raise prices to keep making a profit and workers demand wage increases to keep up. There were suggestions the Bank could call an emergency meeting to hike rates.
If this happens UK interest rates could hit 3.5%, the OBR said. Many analysts have predicted interest rates could hit 4% or more. Following the speculation, the Bank released a statement saying it will make a full assessment at its next meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which is scheduled for 3 November.
It added that it would "not hesitate to change interest rates by as much as needed to return inflation to the 2% target".
How do interest rates affect me?How do interest rates affect me?
MortgagesMortgages
Just under a third of households have a mortgage, according to the English Housing Survey, which is geographically limited but one of the most comprehensive guides available. Just under a third of households have a mortgage, according to the English Housing Survey.
Of those, three-quarters have a fixed mortgage, so will not be immediately affected. The rest - about two million people - will see their monthly repayments rise. Of those, three-quarters have a fixed mortgage, so will not be immediately affected.
Now rates have raised to 2.25%, those on a typical tracker mortgage will have to pay about £49 more a month. Those on standard variable rate mortgages will see a £31 increase. The rest - about two million people - will see their monthly repayments rise.
This comes on top of increases following other recent rate rises. The decision to raise rates to 2.25%, means those on a typical tracker mortgage will have to pay about £49 more a month. Those on standard variable rate mortgages will see a £31 increase.
Compared with pre-December 2021, tracker mortgage customers will be paying about £216 more a month, and variable mortgage holders about £163 more. The higher interest rates go, the higher those monthly payments will go.
New house buyers, or anyone seeking to remortgage, will also have to pay more.
This comes on top of increases following previous recent rate rises. Compared with pre-December 2021, tracker mortgage customers will be paying about £216 more a month, and variable mortgage holders about £163 more.
Credit cards and loansCredit cards and loans
Even if you don't have a mortgage, changes in interest rates could still affect you.
Bank of England interest rates also influence the interest charged on things like credit cards, bank loans and car loans.Bank of England interest rates also influence the interest charged on things like credit cards, bank loans and car loans.
Even ahead of the latest decision, the average annual interest rate is 19.9% on bank overdrafts and 18.57% on credit cards in July. Lenders could decide to increase these fees if interest rates rise again. Even ahead of the latest decision, the average annual interest rate was 19.9% on bank overdrafts and 18.57% on credit cards in July.
Lenders could decide to increase these fees if interest rates rise again.
'If rates go up I'll owe £250 a month more on my loans''If rates go up I'll owe £250 a month more on my loans'
SavingsSavings
The Bank's decisions also affect the interest rates people earn on their savings. Individual banks usually pass on any interest rate rises to customers.
Individual banks usually pass on any interest rate rises - giving savers a higher return on their money, and there is now more competition in the savings market. Savers get a higher return on their money, and there is now more competition in the savings market.
However, for people putting money away, interest rates are not keeping up with rising prices.However, for people putting money away, interest rates are not keeping up with rising prices.
How does the Bank of England set interest rates? Why does raising interest rates help lower inflation?
Interest rates are decided by a team of nine economists, the Monetary Policy Committee. The Bank has been putting rates up to combat rising prices - known as inflation.
They meet eight times a year - roughly once every six weeks - to look at how the economy is performing. Prices are going up quickly worldwide, as Covid restrictions have been eased and consumers spend more.
Their decisions are always published at 12:00 on a Thursday. Many firms have problems getting enough goods to sell. And with more buyers chasing too few goods, prices have risen.
There has also been a very sharp rise in oil and gas costs - a problem made worse by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Why are prices rising so quickly?
One way to try to control rising prices - or inflation - is to raise interest rates.
This increases the cost of borrowing and encourages people to borrow and spend less. It also encourages people to save.
However, it is a tough balancing act as the Bank does not want to slow the economy too much.
Since the global financial crisis of 2008, UK interest rates have been at historically low levels. Last year, they were as low as 0.1%.
Why are people talking about more rate rises now?
The mini-budget of 23 September was followed by a sharp fall in the pound.
Investors are worried that the UK government is borrowing too much.
The fall in the pound is a problem because a weak pound makes it more expensive to buy imports - from crude oil to food.
That pushes up prices and so the Bank may feel it has to put up interest rates to push inflation back down.
Tax cuts announced by the government could also push up inflation by giving people more money to spend - another reason for the Bank to put up rates.
That's why economists are now talking about rates peaking at over 6%.
Are other countries raising their interest rates?Are other countries raising their interest rates?
The UK is affected by prices rising across the globe. So there is a limit as to how effective UK interest rate rises will be.The UK is affected by prices rising across the globe. So there is a limit as to how effective UK interest rate rises will be.
However, other countries are taking a similar approach, and have also been raising interest ratesHowever, other countries are taking a similar approach, and have also been raising interest rates
The US central bank has announced big rate rises in the past few months. Other central banks around the world have also raised rates.The US central bank has announced big rate rises in the past few months. Other central banks around the world have also raised rates.
How will you be affected by any change to interest rates? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.How will you be affected by any change to interest rates? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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