empty
17.08.2022 11:24 PM
Double-digit inflation in Britain and recession for 2-3 years

This image is no longer relevant

Inflation in the UK accelerated more than expected last month to a 40-year high, putting more pressure on consumers and increasing pressure for action from the government and the Bank of England.

This image is no longer relevant

The consumer price index rose 10.1% in July from a year earlier, after rising 9.4% a month earlier, the Office for National Statistics said Wednesday. The figure was higher than expected by both the BoE and private sector economists.

This image is no longer relevant

Rising food prices contributed the most to the month-on-month gains, indicating inflationary pressures extend beyond energy. Investors moved to pricing in a 2 percentage point increase in the BoE's key rate to 3.75% by May next year.

This image is no longer relevant

"Food prices have risen markedly, especially for baked goods, dairy products, meat and vegetables, which has also been reflected in higher takeout prices," said Grant Fitzner, chief economist at ONS. Pets, toilet paper rolls, toothbrushes and deodorants also pushed up inflation in July."

This image is no longer relevant

Andrew Sentance, a former board member of the BoE, said the key rate may have to be raised to 3% or 4% because politicians are "behind schedule."

Core inflation - excluding energy, food, alcohol and tobacco - accelerated to 6.2% in July from a year earlier, higher than economists had expected of 5.9%.

These figures exacerbate the cost of living crisis as wages continue to fall due to rising prices for goods and services of all kinds. The BoE expects inflation to top 13% in October as energy caps reset and BoE Governor Andrew Bailey signaled he was ready for further interest rate hikes. Investors are expecting another 50 bps rise in September.

Challengers seeking to replace Boris Johnson as prime minister are promising further aid to those who are struggling to pay their bills.

"Rising inflation is really putting pressure on real wages, even with strong wage growth," said Mike Bell, global market strategist at JP Morgan Asset Management. "And it's only going to get worse with the increase in electricity bills in October."

The main British stock index technically has a huge downside potential:

This image is no longer relevant

Economists are becoming increasingly pessimistic about the UK as the risk of a recession is now seen as much more likely due to rising price pressures. The BoE expects the recession to start in the fourth quarter and last until early 2024.

The central bank expects inflation to top 13% later this year as the central bank allows electricity bills to rise again. This would be the worst performance since September 1980, when Margaret Thatcher's government struggled to bring the wage and price spiral under control.

Separate data showed that price pressure on pipelines appeared to be easing, with fuel and raw material prices rising just 0.1% in July, the smallest monthly increase since December. This was mainly due to the fall in crude oil prices during the month. Commodity prices still rose 22.6% year-on-year, only slightly below the record high in June.

Product prices rose 1.6% mom and 17.1% from a year earlier, the biggest annual increase since 1977.

This image is no longer relevant

Bailey accused Russia of cutting off natural gas supplies, driving up the cost of electricity across Europe and boosting inflation. Gas futures, projected by the BoE this month, were nearly double their levels in May and rose even more last week.

This growth is reflected in the cost of goods and services, prompting people across the country to demand higher wages. Railroad workers are planning another round of strikes this week, and teachers, lawyers and nurses are considering taking their own measures.

Inflation-adjusted real wages fell 3% in three months, though June was the sharpest pace since 2001, according to official data released Tuesday. Employment increased by 160,000 in the second quarter, down 46% from the three months to May, and job openings fell for the first time since August 2020.

"The cost of living crisis is now very real for both households and businesses, so a concrete way is needed to support vulnerable populations with higher energy bills," said Alpesh Palea, lead economist at the Confederation of British Industry.

Andrey Shevchenko,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Summary
Urgency
Analytic
Andrey Shevchenko
Start trade
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

USD/CAD – Analysis and Forecast

Today, USD/CAD extended its gains for the fourth consecutive day, supported by steady buying interest in the U.S. dollar. Additionally, a slight decline in crude oil prices is weighing

Irina Yanina 18:04 2025-07-29 UTC+2

XAU/USD – Analysis and Forecast

Over the weekend, a trade agreement was reached between the United States and the European Union, which added to the optimism sparked by the recent U.S.–Japan deal and eased fears

Irina Yanina 17:59 2025-07-29 UTC+2

FOMC Meeting Comes into Focus (Potential for Continued Decline in EUR/USD and GBP/USD)

While market participants continue to assess the real prospects of a U.S. "takeover" of Europe and its economy, believing that any certainty is better than none, attention is shifting toward

Pati Gani 10:44 2025-07-29 UTC+2

Why EUR drops sharply?

The euro plunged by more than 1% after the EU and the US reached a trade agreement, one that, apparently, not everyone agrees with. European leaders are divided. Some supported

Jakub Novak 10:34 2025-07-29 UTC+2

The Market Is Losing Its Risk Premium

The devil is in the details. The muted reaction of the S&P 500 to arguably Donald Trump's most monumental trade deal speaks volumes. Some believe the market had anticipated

Marek Petkovich 09:26 2025-07-29 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on July 29? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

There are, frankly, very few macroeconomic reports scheduled for Tuesday, and traders' minds are not focused on counting the number of job openings in the U.S. On Monday, Donald Trump

Paolo Greco 07:13 2025-07-29 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – July 29: The U.S. Dollar Finally Starts to Trust Trump

The GBP/USD currency pair continued to decline on Monday. The British pound began its downward movement last week, and at that time, we concluded that purely technical factors were behind

Paolo Greco 03:44 2025-07-29 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – July 29: A Complete Failure for the European Union

On the 4-hour timeframe, the EUR/USD currency pair sharply reversed downward on Monday and posted a strong decline. In our opinion, this move is quite significant and telling. Let's examine

Paolo Greco 03:44 2025-07-29 UTC+2

EU–US Trade Deal. Part 2

On Monday, I got the impression that very few people in Europe knew what concessions von der Leyen was about to make. The American side of the negotiation was likely

Chin Zhao 00:45 2025-07-29 UTC+2

EU–US Trade Deal. Part 1

Four days before August 1 — the final deadline for the negotiations — the European Union and the United States announced the signing of a trade agreement. This deal

Chin Zhao 00:45 2025-07-29 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.