Bank of England base rate since 1975

17%

November 1979

Margaret Thatcher raises rates to quell inflation; prompts deep recession

20%

6.25%

May 1997

Tony Blair elected amid long fall in interest rates

15

4.75%

September 2001

Twin towers attack prompts worldwide rate cut

10

5

0

1975

80

85

90

95

00

05

10

15

0.25%

The first rise since 2007 could

be announced on Thursday

17%

November 1979

Margaret Thatcher raises rates to quell inflation; prompts deep recession

14.875%

October 1989

Rates go back up again to fight inflation; housing market collapses

20%

15

6.25%

May 1997

Tony Blair elected amid long fall in interest rates

10

4.75%

September 2001

Twin towers attack prompts worldwide rate cut

7.375%

May 1988

Rates fall during Nigel Lawson boom years

5

0.25%

The first rise since

2007 could be

announced

on Thursday

0

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015