09/11/2006

Interest rate rises to 5%

Mortgage repayments and loans will rise for millions of homeowners on the Bank of England's decision to raise interest rates.

As was widely expected, interest rates rose by 0.25% to 5%, the highest rate in five years.

The hike in the interest rate is an attempt by the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee to curb rising inflation rates. While the government target for inflation is 2% the inflation rate has recently exceeded this figure.

It is anticipated that to keep inflation under control there may be a further rise in interest rates early in the New Year.

(SP/KMcA)

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