The inflation rate in the British economy in the month of November was 5.1%. The expected increase for December was 5.2%, but the limits surpassed when the inflation rate rose to 5.4% in December, which is the highest in almost three decades. This has resulted in immense pressure on the bank of England to raise the interest rates in the forthcoming months.
Since March 1992, the increase in CPI has been the highest, reflecting a wide range of goods and services. According to the office for the National Statistics, the greatest impact originates from food and drinks while hotels and restaurants follow it.
The increase in CPI to its highest since March 1992 reflected a wide range of goods and services, the Office for National Statistics said, with the biggest impact coming from food and drink, followed by restaurants and hotels.
The Omicron variant of coronavirus did not have a very large economic disruption and, thus, made a negligible contribution to the rising inflation rate.
Last month, since the beginning of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Bank of England became the first one to raise the interest rate amongst all central banks globally after the November CPI hit the ten-year high mark!
The growing inflation rate is not just an economic problem but also turning out to be a political problem for the ruling Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is rigorously facing calls from the oppositions demanding an offset at an expected 50% rise in the energy prices regulated this last April.
In response to the data, here’s what the finance minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, has quoted “I understand the pressure people are facing with the cost of living, and we will continue to listen to people’s concerns.”
In the upcoming April month, the BoE forecasts CPI shall peak around 6% in a 30-year high because of the high energy bills. The target CPI was 2%, and it will take another two years for it to reach that point.
Would the rates rise again?
The probability for the rates to rise again is high. The falling of the 875 billion-pound stock of government bonds is also counted as the gilts become more mature.
What does this mean for businesses?
Many small businesses in the UK, especially those dealing in the food sector, will face trouble as the manufacturing and production costs rise. This, in turn, would see a major spike in the product pricing that might be inconvincible for many regular customers. If the standard pricing is to maintain, the quality shall degrade!
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