ICAEW.com works better with JavaScript enabled.

Crumbling economy makes future policy path more troubled following close call rate cut, ICAEW says

Author: ICAEW

Published: 18 Dec 2025

Suren Thiru, ICAEW Economics Director, responded to today’s interest rate decision by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (Thursday 18 December 2025):

“This interest rate cut is a particularly welcome early Christmas present for those households being squeezed by high mortgage bills and businesses being besieged by skyrocketing costs.

“The decision suggests that rate-setters are prioritising action to help mitigate the impact of a deteriorating economy, despite the meeting minutes highlighting some lingering worries over inflation persistence.

“The tight vote split confirms that the committee remain reluctant interest rate cutters with November’s Budget likely to have helped tip the balance in favour of loosening policy, given it’ll likely dampen both inflation and growth.

“Though the pace of policy loosening may slow as it approaches what the Bank considers as the neutral rate, the speed at which economic conditions are crumbling may push policymakers to cut more aggressively, possibly as early as February.” 

ENDS

Notes to editors:

About ICAEW 

Chartered accountants are talented, ethical and committed professionals. ICAEW represents more than 210,000 members and students around the world. 98 of the top 100 global brands employ ICAEW Chartered Accountants.* 87% of FTSE 100 companies, and 81% of FTSE 250 companies in the UK, have an ICAEW member on their board.

Founded in 1880, ICAEW has a long history of serving the public interest and we continue to work with governments, regulators and business leaders globally. And, as a world-leading improvement regulator, we supervise and monitor around 11,000 firms, holding them, and all ICAEW members and students, to the highest standards of professional competency and conduct.

We promote inclusivity, diversity and fairness and we give talented professionals the skills and values they need to build resilient businesses, economies and societies, while ensuring our planet’s resources are managed sustainably.

ICAEW is working towards becoming net zero, demonstrating our commitment to tackle climate change and supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goal 13.

ICAEW is a founding member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW), a global family that connects over 1.8m chartered accountants and students in more than 190 countries. Together, we support, develop and promote the role of chartered accountants as trusted business leaders, difference makers and advisers.

We believe that chartered accountancy can be a force for positive change. By sharing our insight, expertise and understanding we can help to create sustainable economies and a better future for all.

* includes parent companies. Source: ICAEW member data March 2025, Interbrand, Best Global Brands 2024.

Further information

Contact us
Swoop background image
Media relations

Our Media Relations team can be contacted for comment, opinion and information on issues affecting the accountancy profession, business and the wider economy.

Find out more
About ICAEW
Diverse group of people looking up
Who we are

As a global professional body for chartered accountants, we ensure all our chartered accountants have the knowledge and values to help build local and global economies that are sustainable, accountable and fair.

Find out more