08/08/2012

Bank Of England Cuts Growth Forecast

As the double-dip recession intensifies the Bank of England’s growth forecast has been cut to almost zero, falling from 0.8% predicted in May.

The quarterly inflation report indicated no growth for 2012, compared with 2% predicted a year ago.

The data had fuelled anticipation for an interest rate cut, but Governor Sir Mervyn King dismissed calls for a reduction in the near term, saying that recovery hopes had consistently been dashed.

"The big picture is that output's been flat for two years, and has continually disappointed expectations of a recovery," he told a news conference.

"We are navigating rough waters and storm clouds continue to roll in from the euro area," he added.

He said that the future was unpredictable, since no-one could predict what would happen in the eurozone crisis, which would have an impact on the UK.

(H/GK)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

10 November 2008
Small Growth In Xmas Online Shoppers Predicted
A drop in online spending has been predicted for this Christmas, with only a 15% growth in internet shopping expected. This is in stark contrast to the 54% year-on-year increase in online shopping in the UK last year. According to figures published by IMRG and Capgemini, British shoppers will spend a total of £13.
05 March 2012
UK Economy Faces 'Serious Challenges'
The economy is still facing "serious challenges", and it is predicted that unemployment will increase to almost three million next year. According to research by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) debt levels are still too high and they have downgraded their prediction for UK GDP growth in 2012 to 0.6% (from 0.
26 August 2014
Raiders Attack Police With Sledgehammer In Foiled Cash Machine Robbery
A police officer has been treated in hospital after being attacked with a sledgehammer. Police say that the 41-year-old officer was responding to a report of a cash machine robbery at a Tesco Express store in Sandwell.
04 September 2012
Chancellor George Osborne Booed At Paralympics Medal Ceremony
Chancellor George Osborne's stint as a Paralympic medal presenter was marred yesterday when spectators booed his name. Jeering erupted when his name was announced at the 80,000-seater Olympic Stadium, where he was due to present medals to the winners of the men's T38 400m race.
21 June 2012
Senior Civil Servant Says Spending Cuts Could Last A Decade
Britain's most senior civil servant has warned that public spending cuts could last for up to a decade. Sir Jeremy Heywood, appointed as cabinet secretary by David Cameron last year, said the government was only a quarter of the way through its fiscal consolidation.