Bank of England’s chief economist dampens hopes of summer interest rates cut

Huw Pill warns inflation could rebound as UK business survey signals economy strengthened over last month

The prospects of a summer cut in UK interest rates have receded after the Bank of England's chief economist said inflation must be squeezed out of the economy and cautioned against cutting too soon.

After a key survey signalled strong sales across the private sector over the past month and the London stock market rose to a record high, Huw Pill said concerns remained that inflation, which is expected to fall below its 2% target within a few months, could then rebound as the economy strengthens.