Bank of England holds interest rates, warns global trade uncertainty has intensified

The Bank of England left interest rates unchanged Thursday as the U.K. economy contends with uncertainty around global trade and looming stagnation at home.

The widely anticipated decision keeps the central bank’s benchmark interest rate at 4.5%.

It comes at a time marked by prospective economic headwinds abroad and at home. At a global level, this includes the frequent shifts, lack of clarity and conflict surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs, along with their potential impact on U.K. inflation and economic growth.

The U.K. economy has been showing signs of weakening, contracting by 0.1% month-on-month in January.

The BOE in February halved its 2025 growth forecast for the U.K. to 0.75%.

At the time it also said it was expecting inflation to temporarily rise to 3.7% in the third quarter of this year, as energy costs are set to accelerate. U.K. inflation picked up sharply to a hotter-than-expected to 3% in January, notably above the central bank’s 2% target.

Thursday’s meeting comes just days before U.K. government taxation changes come into force that have proven unpopular with businesses, which say their rising tax burden could dent growth, investment and jobs.

The U.K. Treasury’s “Spring Statement,” during which British Chancellor Rachel Reeves will present an update on her plans for the British economy, is also coming up on March 26. The finance minister is under pressure to cut public spending, raise taxes further or to bend the government’s self-imposed fiscal rules amid higher borrowing costs.

This is a breaking news story, please check back for updates.

— CNBC’s Holly Ellyatt contributed to this report.