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Financial Markets and Monetary Policy

The bank rate and the MPC's decisions

  • 3 things to know
  • Papers 2 and 3

Overview

The inflation target, who sets bank rate, and the conditions for raising or lowering it.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Numbers

What is bank rate, who sets it, and when would they raise it?

Numbers

Why do growth, expectations and unemployment inform the MPC's decision?

Numbers

Why do consumer spending, wage growth and business investment matter to the MPC?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is the bank rate (base rate) and who sets it?

    Model answer

    The bank rate is the interest rate at which the Bank of England lends to commercial banks; it is set by the MPC.

  2. 2

    Under what inflation condition would the MPC typically consider raising bank rate?

    Model answer

    When inflation is above the 2% target.

  3. 3

    What action does the MPC take when inflation exceeds the target?

    Model answer

    It raises the bank rate.

  4. 4

    What happens to aggregate demand when the MPC raises bank rate in response to above-target inflation?

    Model answer

    Aggregate demand falls because borrowing becomes more expensive and saving more attractive.

  5. 5

    What is the intended effect on inflation when the MPC raises bank rate and aggregate demand falls?

    Model answer

    Inflation decreases towards the 2% target.

  6. 6

    Under what economic conditions would the MPC consider lowering bank rate?

    Model answer

    When inflation is below target or the economy is in recession.

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AA higher bank rate increases borrowing costs.
BA higher bank rate increases returns on savings.
CA lower bank rate reduces returns on savings.

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