Bank of England raises rates for first time since 2023 and warns more likely

LONDON - The Bank of England (BOE) raised interest rates for the first time in over three years on Thursday and warned that at least one more increase was likely if the U.S.-Iran conflict continues, as it started on a path already begun by its main peers.

British inflation is likely to rise to around 5% in the middle of next year, the BOE said, more than double the central bank's target and a blow to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who has sought to ease cost of living pressures.

The BOE found little evidence so far of faster inflation outside sectors directly hit by higher energy costs. However, policymakers said that the amount of inflation pressure coming down the road after months of high energy prices required a rate rise now, even though that will increase borrowing costs for businesses and many home owners.

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