Bank of England blames falling pound on Brexit fears

MPC keeps interest rates at historic low of 0.5% despite steep fall in sterling linked to EU referendum

The Bank of England has kept the UK base interest rate at its historic low of 0.5% despite a steep fall in the value of sterling linked to the EU referendum, which policymakers said was likely to exert upward pressure on inflation.

The BoE said disappointing business investment and the weaker outlook for global trade would offset the impact of a cheaper pound and keep inflation in check in the short term before a rise to its 2% target within the next two years.

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