The prospects for output growth abroad have deteriorated and the disruption to global financial markets has continued. In the United Kingdom, credit conditions for households and businesses are tightening. Consumer pending growth appears to have eased. Although the substantial fall in the sterling exchange rate is likely to promote re-balancing of total demand, output growth has moderated to around its historical average rate and business surveys suggest that further slowing is in prospect. These developments pose downside risks to the outlook for inflation.
Published on
07 February 2008