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
0.5%
Increase from 0.25%. The first rise since 2007
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
0.5%
Increase from
0.25%. The first
rise since
2007
0
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015