1. November 1979 17%
Margaret Thatcher raises rates to quell inflation; prompts deep recession
2. May 1988 7.375%
Rates fall during Nigel Lawson boom years
3. October 1989 14.875%
Rates go back up again to fight inflation; housing market collapses
1
3
2
4
5
6
1980
1990
2000
2010
4. May 1997 6.25%
Tony Blair elected amid long fall in interest rates
5. September 2001 4.75%
Twin towers attack prompts worldwide rate cut
6. November 2017 0.5%
First rise since 2007
The Bank of England base rate has held at or below 0.5% since March 2009
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
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%
November 2017
First rise since
2007
0
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015