Notes · Topic
Bank of England
9 editorial notes from Briefed on Bank of England. Thinking from the editorial team, written for UK founders, operators, and investors.
May 2026
Are UK interest rates going down in 2026?
Rates have come down a long way, but the cutting may be near its end. The Bank of England base rate is 3.75%, down from a 5.25% peak, and the MPC held it there in June 2026 with two members voting to raise. What happens next, explained.
May 2026
Are UK mortgage rates going down in 2026?
They have fallen a long way from the 2023 peak, but the decline may be near its floor. With the base rate held at 3.75% in June 2026 and two MPC members voting to raise, the market is no longer pricing rapid further cuts. What that means for fixing, explained.
May 2026
What is the Bank of England base rate?
The Bank of England base rate is currently 3.75 percent, set by the Monetary Policy Committee. It is the rate at which the Bank lends to commercial banks overnight, and it flows through to savings rates, mortgage rates, and the cost of business borrowing across the economy.
May 2026
Bank of England MPC meeting dates 2026
The Monetary Policy Committee meets eight times a year to set the base rate. Here are the scheduled decision dates for 2026, with the next announcement due on 30 July alongside a Monetary Policy Report.
May 2026
What is quantitative easing?
Quantitative easing is a form of monetary policy in which a central bank creates new money to buy financial assets, typically government bonds, to lower borrowing costs and stimulate economic activity when conventional interest rate cuts are no longer sufficient.
May 2026
UK inflation forecast for 2026: what the predictions say
CPI has fallen from its 11.1% peak towards the 2% target. The consensus sees 2 to 3% through 2026, with services inflation the main upside risk.
May 2026
What is monetary policy?
Monetary policy is the use of interest rates, money supply, and other financial tools by a central bank to manage inflation and economic conditions. In the UK, it is set by the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee, which meets eight times a year.
May 2026
What is the UK national debt, and who owns it?
Around £2.7 trillion, roughly 98% of GDP. The Bank of England holds about a quarter; the rest sits with pension funds, overseas investors, and savers.
May 2026
What are UK gilts?
UK gilts are government bonds issued by the Treasury to finance public borrowing. They pay a fixed rate of interest and return the principal at maturity. Gilt yields are one of the most important indicators in UK financial markets, influencing mortgage rates, pension valuations, and government borrowing costs.