Bank of England says keep interest rates low for now
Productivity needs to improve and wages to rise, says Andrew Haldane
Interest rates should remain low to avoid long-term economic stagnation, the chief economist at the Bank of England has said.
Andrew Haldane said in a speech he was downbeat over the UK economy because of weaker global growth, low wage growth and financial and political risks.
"Put in rather plainer English, I am gloomier," Mr Haldane said.
"This implies interest rates could remain lower for longer, certainly than I had expected three months ago."
'Agony and ecstasy'
Global markets have tumbled this week, with investors disconcerted at the lack of growth in Europe and especially Greece, the impact of Ebola, and worrying economic data from China and the US.
Previously, UK interest rates had been expected to rise early next year.
Mr Haldane made his remarks at a speech to local business leaders in Kenilworth, where he described the UK's economy as "writhing in both agony and ecstasy".
He said there were still plenty of reasons to be cheerful. Growth is set to be the fastest of any major economy this year and inflation and borrowing costs are low, he said.
However, he said the "reasons to be fearful" included productivity and wages, which had not risen.
"If there is genuine uncertainty about the path of the economy, the optimal policy response may be to avoid the worst outcomes," said Mr Haldane.
Sterling dropped 0.5% against the dollar following his remarks. Share trading on the London market has been volatile.
0 comments: