Bank of England draws closer to end of interest rate-cutting cycle after latest vote

Another reduction expected next year but monetary policy committee is deeply divided over inflation prospectsBusiness live – latest updatesRachel Reeves has reason to be cheerful. After last month’s budget, the Bank of England cutting interest rates will come as an early Christmas tonic for the chancellor by lifting some of the pressure on hard-pressed borrowers.The City had been heavily betting on a sixth cut since August last year, and Threadneedle Street delivered with a reduction in the base rate from 4% to 3.75%. The question, however, is how much further the Bank can go to bring to an end its current easing cycle, after a painful hump in inflation over the past year. Continue reading...