United Kingdom · Cycle layer · Indicator

Real policy rate

+1.15 %
Watch crossed, with the policy rate no higher than 6 months ago · steady
As of Aug 2026 · Threshold > 10-yr mean + 1 pp, and rising
Recession, Jul 1990 to Sep 1991Recession, Apr 2008 to Jun 2009Recession, Jan 2020 to Jun 2020Recession, Jul 2023 to Dec 2023−50510Threshold > 10-yr mean + 1 pp, and risingTrigger > 10-yr mean + 1 pp, and rising19901995200020052010201520202025
1989 to 2026 · percent. Shaded bands are recessions.
What it is

The policy rate minus core CPI inflation over the past year, read at the end of each month: how hard monetary policy is braking. The threshold is the series' own ten-year mean plus one point, so each region has a baseline that fits its history and nothing is estimated. It triggers only while the policy rate is also higher than six months earlier; above the level with rates on hold or falling it is on Watch.

Threshold source: worldstat.us construction: the real rate a point above its ten-year mean while the policy rate is higher than six months earlier. How thresholds are chosen

Known weaknesses

A worldstat.us rule with no published track record. The ten-year mean includes the zero-rate years, which lowers the baseline everywhere.