A day early the Bank of England has cut interest rates along with six other central banks. Policy rates in the UK are now at 4.5%. The reduction is less than many wanted - myself included. The severity of the downturn in the real economy will only become apparent in the new three to six months by which time the Bank will have had to move again (and again).

Anyway - for those who might be referring to the rate cut decision in their lessons tomorrow - I have put together a selection of ten updated charts linking interest rates to consumer and business confidence, economic growth, the sterling exchange rate, LIBOR and the mortgage market. I hope they might be useful for display or for handouts.

PowerPoint Chart File UK_Interest_Rate_Cut.ppt