
Bank of England next meeting – Key dates and rate predictions
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is scheduled to meet next on 18 June 2026, with the interest rate decision announced later that day. As the UK economy navigates inflation above its 2% target and uncertainty over growth, the outlook for borrowing costs remains a central question for households and businesses.
The current Bank Rate stands at 3.75%, following a hold decision at the previous meeting. The MPC meets eight times a year, roughly every six weeks, to set the rate that influences the cost of borrowing across the economy.
Understanding when the next meeting takes place, what the full schedule for 2026 looks like, and what economists predict for rates, can help with financial planning. This article combines official Bank of England data with market-based forecasts to provide a clear picture.
When is the next Bank of England meeting?
The next MPC meeting is confirmed for 18 June 2026. The decision will be published alongside the MPC Summary and minutes on the same day. The Bank Rate currently remains at 3.75%.
18 June 2026
3.75%
2.8%
2.0%
Is there a Bank of England meeting today?
As of the publication date, the next scheduled meeting is 18 June 2026. There is no MPC meeting today. The Bank of England does not typically hold unscheduled meetings, although it retains the ability to call an emergency session if market conditions require it.
What is the next MPC meeting date?
The next MPC meeting date is 18 June 2026, according to the Bank of England’s official MPC dates. This is the next due decision after the April 2026 meeting, at which the Bank held the rate at 3.75%.
Key insights at a glance:
- The next MPC meeting is 18 June 2026, with the decision announced the same day.
- The current Bank Rate is 3.75%, held since the previous meeting.
- The Bank of England has confirmed eight MPC meetings for 2026.
- Inflation at 2.8% remains above the 2% target, influencing rate decisions.
- Market-based predictions for June 2026 heavily favour a hold (no change).
- Economists generally expect gradual rate cuts later in 2026, not an immediate move.
| Metric | Current Value |
|---|---|
| Bank Rate | 3.75% |
| Inflation (CPI) | 2.8% |
| Target | 2.0% |
| Next MPC Meeting | 18 June 2026 |
| Meeting Frequency | Every 6 weeks (approx. 8 per year) |
| Last Decision | Held at 3.75% (April 2026) |
What are the confirmed Bank of England meeting dates for 2026?
The Bank of England has published its full schedule of MPC meetings for 2026. All eight meetings are listed below, with information on which meetings include a Monetary Policy Report. The dates are sourced from the official BoE MPC dates page.
- 5 February 2026 — MPC Summary and minutes; February Monetary Policy Report
- 19 March 2026 — MPC Summary and minutes
- 30 April 2026 — MPC Summary and minutes; April Monetary Policy Report
- 18 June 2026 — MPC Summary and minutes
- 30 July 2026 — MPC Summary and minutes; July Monetary Policy Report
- 17 September 2026 — MPC Summary and minutes
- 5 November 2026 — MPC Summary and minutes; November Monetary Policy Report
- 17 December 2026 — MPC Summary and minutes
What is the interest rate decision prediction for the next meeting?
Market-based indicators and analyst surveys suggest the most likely outcome for the 18 June 2026 meeting is a hold — meaning the Bank Rate would remain at 3.75%. Data from prediction markets, such as Polymarket, showed a 96.6% probability for no change as of the latest available readings, with only a 2.9% chance of a 25 basis point increase and less than 1% for a cut.
A separate housing-sector analysis noted that UK CPI inflation stood at 3.3% at the time of its publication, providing a rationale for why a near-term cut was not the dominant expectation. Inflation remaining above the 2% target tends to discourage the MPC from easing policy too quickly.
Prediction market data reflects the collective view of traders and is not an official Bank of England forecast. The MPC’s decisions depend on incoming data on inflation, wages, GDP, and the global economic outlook, which can shift expectations rapidly.
What forecasters expect for 2026
The broader forecast picture for the rest of 2026 points toward gradual rate cuts later in the year, rather than an immediate change. Morningstar reported that economists still expect two or three rate cuts in 2026, even though financial markets were not yet pricing cuts at that point. Another source suggested economists expect 1–2 cuts in 2026, with the Bank Rate potentially falling to around 3.25%–3.00% by late 2026, depending on inflation data.
The first cut is considered more likely in spring or summer, with timing dependent on economic releases. Market pricing previously suggested the Bank would hold in February, March, and April, with April seen as the most likely cut meeting at one point before expectations shifted.
What is the UK interest rate forecast for the next 5 years?
The Bank of England does not publish a formal five-year policy-rate path. No single official five-year UK base-rate forecast exists in the public materials. What the available data supports is a broad market and analyst expectation of lower rates over time, but with the exact pace and magnitude highly uncertain.
The most defensible framing based on verified sources is as follows:
- 2026: Likely modest easing from 3.75%, with several analysts expecting 1–3 cuts over the year.
- 2027–2030: No hard official numbers are available. The implication from discussions of “gradual rate cuts” is that the Bank Rate could continue drifting lower if inflation eases and the labour market weakens.
Five-year rate forecasts are not commitments from the Bank of England. They are analyst and market expectations that can change quickly with shifts in inflation, wages, economic growth, and global energy prices. No prediction is guaranteed.
Timeline of recent and upcoming MPC meetings
The following timeline lists confirmed MPC meetings from the past 12 months through the end of 2026, based on official Bank of England data. Some entries are marked as to be announced where the decision is not yet known.
- August 2025 — Rate cut to 4.25% (confirmed)
- September 2025 — Held at 4.25% (confirmed)
- November 2025 — Decision to be confirmed from official records
- December 2025 — Decision to be confirmed from official records
- 5 February 2026 — Held at 3.75% (confirmed)
- 19 March 2026 — Decision to be announced
- 30 April 2026 — Held at 3.75% (confirmed)
- 18 June 2026 — Upcoming
What is known and what remains uncertain about the next decision?
A clear distinction exists between information that is established and elements that remain subject to change based on future economic data.
Established information
- Next meeting date: 18 June 2026 (official BoE)
- Full MPC schedule for 2026 published by the Bank of England
- Current Bank Rate: 3.75%
- Latest inflation rate: 2.8%
Information that remains unclear
- Whether the Bank Rate will be cut, held, or raised on 18 June 2026
- Long-term 5-year forecasts, which vary by institution
- Possibility of unscheduled emergency meetings
What context explains the MPC’s current position?
The MPC sets Bank Rate to meet the government’s 2% inflation target. Its decisions are based on assessments of CPI inflation, GDP growth, employment levels, and global economic conditions. With inflation at 2.8% (and previously at 3.3% according to one source), the rate remains above target, which may discourage aggressive rate cuts.
GDP and unemployment data released ahead of the June 2026 meeting will play a significant role in shaping the MPC’s decision. The Bank of England publishes detailed analysis in its Monetary Policy Reports, which accompany the February, April, July, and November meetings each year.
Where do the sources and quotes come from?
The primary source for MPC meeting dates is the Bank of England’s official MPC dates page. The current Bank Rate and its next due decision are listed on the Bank of England’s interest rates page. Inflation data is published by the Office for National Statistics, and broader economic forecasts are available from HM Treasury.
“Current Bank Rate 3.75%. Next due: 18 June 2026.”
— Bank of England official page
“The MPC meets eight times a year, roughly every six weeks.”
— Bank of England
What should you do next regarding the MPC schedule?
For anyone tracking UK interest rates, the recommended steps are straightforward. Set a calendar reminder for 18 June 2026 to check the MPC decision. Monitor upcoming CPI and GDP releases in the months before the meeting for clues on the MPC’s direction. Subscribing to Bank of England email alerts can provide immediate notification of decisions. Reviewing updated forecasts from independent economists after each meeting can also help with financial planning. For the full year’s calendar, see the Bank of England MPC 2026 schedule.
Frequently asked questions
How often does the Bank of England meet?
The MPC meets eight times a year, approximately every six weeks, following a published schedule.
What is the current base rate?
The current Bank Rate is 3.75%, as confirmed by the Bank of England.
Why does the MPC change interest rates?
The MPC adjusts rates to influence inflation, aiming to keep it at the government’s 2% target over the medium term.
What is the difference between Bank Rate and base rate?
Bank Rate is the official rate set by the MPC. “Base rate” is often used interchangeably in consumer contexts, though some banks set their own base rates.
How do interest rate changes affect mortgages and savings?
Rate changes influence the cost of borrowing for mortgages and the returns on savings accounts, though the impact varies by product and provider.
When is the next Bank of England meeting in 2026?
The next meeting is scheduled for 18 June 2026.
Will interest rates go down in 2026?
Most economists expect gradual cuts later in 2026, but the timing and size depend on inflation and economic data.
What time is the MPC decision announced?
Decisions are typically announced at 12:00 noon London time on the scheduled meeting date.