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Shoppers cut back in March, with data likely to increase pressure on Bank of England over interest ratesBusiness live – latest updatesRetail sales in Great Britain unexpectedly stalled in March as consumers cut back on spending because of the cost of living, according to new data.British retail sales volumes stagnated at 0% in March after an increase of 0.1% in February, according to the...

Predictions for when Bank of England will start lowering cost of borrowing pushed back Business live – latest updatesThe UK’s annual inflation rate fell by less than expected in March to 3.2%, complicating the timing of a first Bank of England interest rate cut.Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show inflation continued to fall from 3.4% in February to reach the lowest...

Bank of England forecast to make as many as four interest rate cuts in 2024, which will slash returnsIf Christmas hasn’t cleaned you out financially, now could be the last chance to grab one of the UK’s highest-paying fixed-rate savings accounts.With the money markets convinced that interest rates are heading on a downward trajectory, the smart savings cash is heading for a fixed-rate bond...