04/01/2002

Bank of England may raise interest rates to stem consumer spending

Speculation is mounting that The Bank of England plans to step in to deal with the current credit card fuelled spending boom that is gripping the UK economy.

The likelihood of this happening was raised after the head of the Bank of England, Sir Edward George, said that consumer demand needed to be moderated. However, if it did not then “we may have to actually act to cause it to moderate if it doesn't happen of its own accord, and that's when we will be putting up interest rates”.

Speaking in an interview with BBC television's World Business Report, Sir Edward’s comments represent a clear signal that the Bank of England is more concerned about the UK economy growing too fast than it following economies such as those of the US and Japan into a slump.

His comments also follow the release on Thursday of reports showing strong High Street trade in the run-up to Christmas. (MB)

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