MNI BRIEF: BOE Needs To Hold For Longer -- Mann
MNI (LONDON) - The Bank of England should hold rates at current levels for longer, Monetary Policy Committee member Catherine Mann said on Wednesday, adding that she would be open to rapid rate cuts once the inflation outlook permits.
Speaking at a BNP Paribas event, Mann, who has opposed rate cuts so far, said financial markets were going to incorporate upward inflation bias into their estimate of the neutral rate of interest, and that "the central bank has to lean against (that)."
"We have upside risk to inflation ... it's important to hold for longer ...(but when there) has been a removal or moderation in inflation persistence ...then I will move in a bigger step," Mann said, adding that she was a policy activist, not a gradualist. (See MNI INTERVIEW: UK Budget Ups Inflation Pressure - OBR Miles )
Referring to the possible impact of U.S. trade policy on monetary policy, Mann said the key for the BOE will the impact on financial conditions.