UK inflation to hit 4.4%, NIESR sees no return to target until 2030

What is new. NIESR, one of Britain's oldest independent economic research institutes, expects inflation to rise above 4% early in 2027 and reach 4.4% in February. It forecasts an average of 3.9% in 2027 and 3% in 2028. In its main forecast inflation stays above the Bank of England's 2% target in 2027, 2028 and 2029 and only returns to it in late 2030.

Why so long. The main reason, NIESR says, is second-round effects: expensive energy after the Iran war is feeding into wages and domestic prices. NIESR director David Aikman said inflation will rise above 4% just as most 2027 pay awards are agreed, so the risk that it becomes embedded is rising. One more quarter-point hike is unlikely to be enough, he said, and the longer the Monetary Policy Committee waits, the more it will eventually need to do.

The cost of a tougher path. NIESR's math: if Bank Rate reaches about 5% in 2027, inflation returns to target in early to mid-2029, about 18 months sooner. The price is growth about 0.4 percentage points lower in both 2028 and 2029.

The economy is holding up for now. The 2026 growth forecast was raised to 1.6% from 1.1%, helped by government spending and business investment, including in AI. Growth then slows to 1.1% in 2027 and 0.9% in 2028. Unemployment is projected to rise gradually from 4.8% in 2026 to a peak of 5.1% in 2031. NIESR also questions the government's fiscal plans, saying the plans to cut borrowing lack credibility and lean on spending restraint later on.

Keep in mind: this is a forecast by an independent institute, not a Bank of England decision. The bank publishes its own forecasts and decisions. Pound and other currency rates: https://freekonomist.com/en/forex/

Confirmed facts

• NIESR forecasts UK inflation will peak at 4.4% in February 2027, up from 3.8% in its July forecast.^[1][2]
• NIESR expects inflation above the Bank of England's 2% target in 2027, 2028 and 2029, returning to target in late 2030, a year later than previously forecast.^[1]
• Inflation is forecast to average 3.9% in 2027 and 3% in 2028.^[2]
• NIESR expects the Bank of England to raise rates only once, in February; investors price two or three quarter-point hikes by the end of next year.^[1]
• NIESR says Bank Rate would need to rise to around 5% to bring inflation back to target in the medium term; that would reach target in early to mid-2029, about 18 months sooner, at the cost of growth about 0.4 points lower in 2028 and 2029.^[1][2]
• The Bank of England raised rates to 4% from 3.75% last week, its first increase in more than three years.^[1]
• UK growth is forecast at 1.6% in 2026, up from 1.1% previously, then 1.1% in 2027 and 0.9% in 2028.^[1][2]
• Unemployment is projected to rise from 4.8% in 2026 to a peak of 5.1% in 2031; wage growth is expected to average 3.9% over the next three years.^[1]
• NIESR director David Aikman: the economy has held up better than expected but faces a double whammy of higher energy prices and rising global borrowing costs.^[1][2]

Implications

• ConfirmedAn independent forecast says UK inflation will stay above target for longer than expected in the summer.
• Our readingNIESR expects fewer hikes than markets but says more are needed to hit target. That gap may keep the pound and gilts volatile. This is our inference.
• Our readingIf inflation settles into wages, UK mortgage rates may stay high for longer. This is our inference.

Still unknown

• How the Bank of England weighs this forecast at its next meeting
• How fast energy costs pass into 2027 pay deals
• NIESR's full report was not yet posted on its website at the time of publishing

Who it affects

United Kingdom, Europe. People who watch the pound, gilts, UK rates and mortgages

Sources

1. Reuters (via Investing.com): UK inflation to overshoot Bank of England target for next 4 years, NIESR forecasts November 11, 2026 · media
2. Mortgage Soup: Bank Rate may need to reach 5% in 2027, warns NIESR November 11, 2026 · media