Bank of England

A loophole in planned banking reforms could leave taxpayers on the hook for billions of pounds in the event of another financial crisis, Bank of England governor Sir Mervyn King has warned.

The minutes of the last Monetary Policy Committee meeting held on 7 and 8 November reveal David Miles was the only member calling for a boost to the Bank of England's quantitative easing programme.

The Bank of England still has the 'firepower' to boost the economy through another round of quantitative easing (QE), policymaker David Miles had said.

Fears over future inflation spikes and the ability of the Bank of England to control rising prices have led bond managers to take cover in protective instruments.

The Bank of England's increasingly unconventional policies could see it cut interest rates further, according to Threadneedle head of multi-asset Toby Nangle.

Global credit ratings agency Moody's has warned the UK is at risk of losing its AAA status should the economy slide into a triple-dip recession.

Bank of England governor Mervyn King has said the UK economy may contract once again in the fourth quarter of 2012 despite moving out of recession in Q3.

European markets were flat in mid-morning trading today as investors paused for breath amid fresh rumours Spain is about to request an official bailout.

The UK's main inflation rate has jumped sharply to 2.7% in October, having fallen to a 34-month low of 2.2% in September.

The Bank of England is to hand the Treasury the interest it receives on its QE asset purchases, a move that reduces pressure on Chancellor George Osborne ahead of the Autumn Statement.