Interest Rates Held

Reacting to the MPC's decision to hold interest rates, Chris Fletcher, Deputy Chief Executive of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: "The Bank of England has done the right thing today and held its nerve to keep the base rate at its current level. There is some concern though whether this is just a stay of execution as increasing numbers of businesses report concerns about prices rising.

"With inflation already high and with more price increases still to come through following the VAT change, the Bank is looking like it is running out of breathing space and a rate rise could be on the cards in the not too distant future. Businesses are already battling a number of major issues at present and a change in base rate at this time or in the near future would present a serious challenge."