Economic Insight

We return to inflation this month ahead of the Bank of England’s next Monetary Policy Report and rate decision, as well as looking at how the key activity indicators are developing so far this year.

This month we focus on the detail of another fiscal event and a raft of reforecasts that point to a modestly improving economic outlook. We’ll also take a look at that surprise increase in inflation and the factors behind the Bank of England’s latest rate hike.

UK Finance collects and aggregates a wide range of data sets relating to consumer and business finance to inform the industry about the latest trends and developments across the sector.

This month’s review takes a look ahead to the forthcoming Budget statement later in March. The last fiscal statement was focused on some serious repair work to the public finances and the government’s fiscal credibility, while also delivering much needed support to households and businesses against a backdrop of sharply rising prices and a deteriorating growth outlook – but where are we now?

Key data on consumer activity and economic performance in the Christmas period is starting to roll in and this month we take a look at the extent to which cost of living concerns are making their presence felt. We’ll also review the latest inflation picture, the health of the labour market and the impact of industrial action.

The first briefing of 2023 rounds up key events at the end of 2022 and takes a look at the emerging data for the final months of the year. And as is tradition in the new year, we’ll take a look ahead at prospects for the next 12 months.