Interest rates remain at 0.5%

March 18, 2016
bank of england interest rate

The Bank of England (BoE) decided yesterday to keep interest rates unchanged, the BoE unanimously agreed to maintain rates at 0.5% and leave the asset purchase programme at £375bn, this was what analysts were expecting.

The decision to keep rates as they are  comes amid concerns about weak wage growth, low inflation and a global economic slowdown,  uncertainty surrounding the  referendum set for 23rd June on Britain’s European Union membership was also taken into account.

The BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee reportedly said in the minutes of the March meeting. “There appears to be increased uncertainty surrounding the forthcoming referendum on UK membership of the European Union.

“That uncertainty is likely to have been a significant driver of the decline in sterling. It may also delay some spending decisions and depress growth of aggregate demand in the near term.”

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

The Compliance Curve: Meeting Landlord Safety Standards Through Smart Heating Upgrades

In today’s rental market, compliance isn’t just about ticking boxes — it’s about protecting investments, safeguarding tenants, and staying ahead of fast-evolving regulations. For landlords across the UK, particularly those managing older housing stock, staying compliant has become a strategic exercise in property value preservation. Among the many areas demanding attention, heating systems stand out…
Read More →
Breaking News

Government confirms ban on no fault evictions to begin in May

The Government has set out a timeline for implementing the Renters’ Rights Act. The first tranche of reforms, including a ban on no fault evictions will come into force from 1 May 2026. David Smith, property litigation partner at London law firm Spector Constant & Williams said: “This will put agents under an immense amount…
Read More →
Breaking News

Landlords must ‘act quickly’ after Renters Rights Act launch date is announced

A leading estate and lettings agent says that landlords must “act quickly” after the Government announced that the controversial Renters Rights Act will be implemented from May 1st next year. The changes, which include the end of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, represent the biggest upheaval in the landlord and tenant sector in a generation. The…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

Landlord EICRs Compliance in 2026: EICR Rules, Costs & Risks — Interview with Ethem from Efficient Home Energy

With thousands of landlords approaching their next round of electrical safety renewals, 2026 is shaping up to be a crucial year for safety compliance. In this exclusive interview, Ethem, an electrical safety expert from Efficient Home Energy, breaks down the risks, the regulations and the practical steps landlords and letting agents must take to stay compliant and protect…
Read More →
Breaking News

Mortgage arrears and possessions Q3 2025

UK Finance today releases its latest mortgage arrears and possessions data for Q3 2025, while highlighting continuing lender support for any customers facing financial difficulty. Key Information  The number of homeowner mortgages in arrears fell by four per cent in Q3 2025 compared to the previous quarter. The number of buy-to-let (BTL) mortgages in arrears…
Read More →
Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Glasgow agents coughing up the most commission to Rightmove

The latest research from The Property DriveBuy reveals that Britain’s estate agents are paying an average of 7.2% of their sales commission to Rightmove, with agents in Glasgow and Newcastle taking the biggest hit from the property portal market leader. The Property DriveBuy has compared the estimated average sales commission of an estate agent in Great…
Read More →