Eerste reacties op stijgende inflatie VK

19 februari 2025

De inflatie in het VK is aan het begin van dit jaar versneld..Vandaag bracht het Office for National Statistics naar buiten dat de consumentenprijsindex (CPI) in januari is gestegen naar 3%, vergeleken met 2,5% in december. De algemene verwachting was dat de inflatie in januari zou stijgen naar 2,8%.

Hieronder volgen enkele eerste reactie op het nieuws van de stijgende inflatie in het Verenigd Koninkrijk.

Simon Woodcock, Partner, LAVA Advisory Partners: 'So long as inflation sits above the Bank of England's 2% target, the government's management of rising prices will remain a focus. However, I don't believe it's either unmanageable, or the most important performance indicator for the country.

We need to keep in mind that, whilst inflationary pressures are still an issue for consumers and businesses alike, the rate of inflation is not only still significantly lower than it has been for much of the past three years, but it's also significantly more stable. We're no longer experiencing the rollercoaster of shocks of the Trussonomics era, and the stabilising environment, along with the recent reduction to the base rate, is opening up funding options thanks to a lower cost of borrowing. This should hopefully unlock underlying growth, thereby providing a boost to the M&A industry, and particularly the lower mid-market.'

 
Paul Noble, CEO, Chetwood Bank: 'After today’s result, the hope for inflation coming back under control seems short-lived. For Britons, this is a troubling setback, with households once again facing rising costs just as they were starting to stabilise. With that rate of inflation forecast to rise further before easing, uncertainty remains high.

While factors driving the uptick – VAT changes and seasonal price shifts – were expected, these offer little comfort as concerns grow over the economy’s fragility. The Bank of England now faces a difficult balancing act. Having recently cut interest rates, policymakers may now be forced to reassess their approach. If inflation remains stubborn, further cuts could be delayed, prolonging financial strain for borrowers and businesses. However, keeping rates higher for too long risks deepening economic stagnation in stark contrast to the stable growth many are seeking.

In these uncertain times, inaction is a luxury many cannot afford. There are still competitive deals on the table for those looking to protect their savings, and the most proactive among them at managing their money will reap the benefits. All financial institutions can do at this time is to provide them with clear support and products that will make a difference during tough times.'
 

Lily Megson, Policy Director, My Pension Expert: 'Just as things may have been looking up, today’s announcement has brought Britons back down to Earth with a thud.

At a time when households were hoping to save and plan for retirement more confidently – especially following the Bank of England’s decision to cut interest rates earlier this month – rising consumer prices will now cast fresh doubt over their financial security. Many will be left wondering how to protect their long-term plans while managing mounting day-to-day costs.

The government can’t continue to bury its head in the sand. They must work with the financial services sector and ensure that every avenue to financial education, guidance and advice is open and accessible. Then, and only then, can Britons be fully empowered to understand how they can achieve their financial goals.'