Current UK Interest Rate

5.25%

To be able to understand the UK interest rate history, you need a clear and concise timeline of the most critical events in history. Below, we have detailed for you the rise and fall of the UK interest rates over time, between 1979 - 2023. Following this, you'll find the information tabled for you to read quickly.

Bank of England in London UK

Historial UK Interest Rate Chart

Interest Rate History

During the 18th century, interest rates in the UK were stable, remaining at 4-5% regardless of the issue. The instability came about in the 19th century, where there was more volatility in the interest rates that saw it moving anywhere between 4 and 10%. The start of the 20th century was no different, with the same instability and constant flux between 5 and 10% instead.

The 1979 Conservative government

The incoming administration of Margaret Thatcher raised interest rates to 17 per cent, as the government of the time saw this as a critical weapon in combating inflation, which was steadily rising at the time. It did have the effect of reducing inflation, although critics noted its negative impact on UK manufacturing exports. Interest rates began to rise again towards the end of the 1980s, partly under the pressure of house price rises. Interest rates had gone from 17% in 1979 down to 9% in 1982, and were back to 14.88% in October 1989.

September 1992

Known as "Black Wednesday", the UK withdrew from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism on 16th September 1992. This meant that the Bank of England base rate interest sat at 12%, up from 10%. This was at 10.30am. John Major, the prime minister, promised to raise the rate even further to 15%. This was due to the encouragement of speculators to buy Sterling. This did not happen, with the government reducing interest rates back to 10%

Tony Blair

May 1997 shone a light on Labour's Tony Blair coming into administration, and Chancellor Gordon Brown accompanied him. Together, they handed control of the setting of the base interest rate back to the independent Bank of England.

2003 - 2007

During these four years, the interest rates rose significantly to curb an over-inflating economy. In July 2003, the interest rates stood at 3.5%, up to 5.75% by July 2007.

2007 - 2018

The global financial crisis of 2008 has kept rates consistently under 6%, with the base rate falling to the lowest level of 300 years. They sat at the earlier mentioned 5.75% in July 2007 before falling dramatically to just 0.5% by March 2009. This fell again in August 2016 to 0.25%, which was a benefit to all homebuyers. The interest rate rose just slightly back to 0.5% by November 2017 and then increased again to 0.75% in August 2018.

2020

Following the global pandemic of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) the Bank of England have reduced the base rate to 0.10% a historic low.

New home buyers who have borrowed mortgages at a fixed-rate have enjoyed interest rates and mortgage payments at remarkable and historic lows.

2021

Inflation and the cost of living surged by 5.1% in the 12 months to November, up from 4.2% the month before, and its highest level since September 2011. This pushed the policy makers at the Bank of England to raise rates for the first time in 3 years. The Monetary Policy Committee voted 8-1 in favour of the increase to 0.25%.

2022

Trying to deal with rampant inflation, the Bank of England voted 5-4, to increase the base rate to 0.5% in February. This is the first back-to-back rate rise since 2004, when Tony Blair was Prime Minister.

Interest rates have increased for the third time in four months as the Bank of England tries to calm the rise in the cost of living. The rise to 0.75% means interest rates are now at their highest level since March 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic started.

In May, Interest rates rose to 1%, the fourth consecutive increase since December. Interest rates have now risen to the highest level since 2009 as the Bank of England tries to stem the pace of rising prices.

In June, with inflation currently running at a 40-year high, Interest rates were increased to 1.25%, the fifth consecutive rise since December 2021, putting them at the highest level in 13 years.

In August The Bank of England raised interest rates by 0.5% to 1.75%, the biggest jump in 27 years.

September
The Bank of England's monetary policy committee voted by 5 to 4 to raise the base rate by half a percentage point. It took the UK interest rate to 2.25% - the highest level since November 2008, when the banking system faced collapse.

November
The monetary policy committee voted by 7 to 2 to hike the base rate by 0.75%, the biggest single rise in the cost of borrowing since 1989. Which took the UK interest rate to 3.00%.

2023 - A new normal?

February
At its meeting ending on 1 February 2023, the The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 7–2 to increase Bank Rate by 0.5 percentage points, to 4%

March
Interest rates were increased to 4.25% by The Bank of England in an attempt to slow rising prices.

The BOE's decision to lift rates for the 11th time in a row follows inflation jumped to 10.4% in the year to February, despite predictions it would fall.

May
The Bank of England raised rates, again, from 4.25% to 4.5% - the highest level in almost 15 years.

June
UK Base rate was raised to 5% by the Bank of England, as it battles to control soaring prices and inflation.

August
The Bank of England has raised the UK's interest rate to 5.25% in its ongoing efforts to curb surging prices. This marks a 0.25% increase from the previous rate of 5% and represents the 14th consecutive rate hike. The last instance of the base rate reaching this level was in April 2008.

The Governor of the Bank of England
Andrew Bailey The Governor of the Bank of England. From March 2020 Credit: Bank of England
Bank of England in London home of the MPC who set UK interest rates

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