Search Acumen reacts to Bank of England’s latest decision to hold interest rates

Andrew Lloyd , Managing Director at Search Acumen, says:

“An interest rate hold and falling bond markets is exactly what borrowers needed this week. Signalling a move to stability, mortgage lenders are likely to offer competitive deals off the back, that might help nudge buyers along.

“Importantly, interest rates alone won’t stop the economic malaise that seems to have overtaken the UK. The market is being drained of energy by political inertia.

“I’m hearing the same story of 60 people tracking a single property – yet no viewings, no offers. Until we thaw the market, price signals will stay distorted.

“We’ll need a sustained decrease in inflation to stop Bank of England policymakers feeling rattled. That will require stability in the Middle East and a path to ending trade disruption.

“This is a stark reminder of how exposed the UK economy is to global shocks. You can see it in markets too, where US dominance, especially in big tech, continues to set the pace.

“We require creative thinking to support economic improvement, looking first at places where inefficiency has been allowed to creep in. Whilst many agree that property tax is in need of reform – stamp duty increasingly feels like a relic of the past – a potent mix of harnessing AI simultaneously with policy could unlock meaningful long-term growth for housing and investors.”