Economists’ views: Raise rates to tackle inflation?
VICKY REDWOOD | CAPITAL ECONOMICS
“The MPC still seems to believe inflation will fall, further ahead. If anything we think there’ll be more QE, perhaps by August. The labour market is weak.”
MICHAEL SAUNDERS | CITIGROUP
“CPI inflation will hit four per cent by mid 2011, and core inflation is still a lot higher than the MPC expected a year ago. Rates could increase before long.”
BENJAMIN WILLIAMSON | CENTRE FOR ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS RESEARCH
“Rates will stay at their historic lows until the end of the year, as the MPC continues to take the medium-term outlook, as they should do. Wages account for around half of all costs, and show little sign of increasing. There is a danger of inflation falling well below target in 2012.”