The Bank of England raises rates to 4%, vote 8–1
On 5 November the Bank of England raised its Bank Rate by 0.25 point to 4%. It was 3.75% before. The vote was 8–1. 1 members wanted a 0.5 point hike. Markets expected exactly this.
Event: November 5, 2026
Primary source: November 5, 2026
Published here: November 5, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTC
Read: 1 min
What happened
On 5 November the Bank of England raised its Bank Rate by 0.25 point to 4%. It was 3.75% before.
Why it matters to you
Bank Rate sets the price of money in the UK: mortgages, savings, the pound and UK stocks react to it. Markets expected exactly this.
What to check and watch
The reasoning is in the official statement linked below. This is not a forecast or advice to buy or sell.
Where it’s happening
LIVEDrag to spin. Green dots: the exchange is trading right now (regular hours, holidays not counted). Shadow: where it is night now. Borders: Natural Earth, quakes: USGS. Layer idea: God’s Eye View (MIT).
On 5 November the Bank of England raised its Bank Rate by 0.25 point to 4%. It was 3.75% before.
The vote was 8–1. 1 members wanted a 0.5 point hike.
Bank Rate sets the price of money in the UK: mortgages, savings, the pound and UK stocks react to it. Markets expected exactly this.
Higher rates usually support the pound and weigh on stocks, gold and crypto. This is our reading, not a fact from the release.
The reasoning is in the official statement linked below. This is not a forecast or advice to buy or sell.
Confirmed facts
- On 5 November the Bank of England raised its Bank Rate by 0.25 point to 4%. It was 3.75% before.[1]
- The vote was 8–1. 1 members wanted a 0.5 point hike.[1]
- Consensus forecast before the decision: 4% (Forex Factory calendar).[2]
Implications
- Our readingHigher rates usually support the pound and weigh on stocks, gold and crypto.
Still unknown
- What the Bank of England says about its next steps.
- How markets react: an open question, not a forecast.
Who it affects
United Kingdom. Anyone with loans, savings, stocks, gold or crypto, and anyone following interest rates
Sources
- Bank of England: Monetary Policy Summary, November 2026 November 5, 2026 · official
- Forex Factory: Economic calendar: consensus forecasts November 5, 2026 · media
Cover: Freekonomist graphic, a symbolic image, not a photo of the event. This is a news explainer, not financial advice.
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