Bank of England keeps rates on hold, six years after crisis cut

LONDON: The Bank of England marked the sixth anniversary of the introduction of its lowest ever interest rate by standing pat once again on Thursday, but an improving economy suggests rates are likely to rise at some point over the next 12 months.

While no economist polled by Reuters expects the Monetary Policy Committee to raise rates before a May 7 national election, given Britain's record low inflation, there are signs that policymakers believe a rate hike could come sooner than markets believe.