The Bank of England left British interest rates at 4.5 per cent today for the tenth month running.
Talk in financial markets of an eventual rate rise is getting louder, however. Most economic reports since May have suggested the UK economy is strengthening.
The services sector is growing just below its fastest pace in two years although official data today showed British factory output unexpectedly fell in April. The property market has also been relatively strong, although there have been signs that it may be cooling.
The Halifax said house prices rose just 0.1 per cent in May, but most reports have pointed to a recent boost in retail
