United Kingdom: economic indicators
Bank Rate was 3.75% in September 2026, down 0.25 pp from September 2025 (Bank of England). Consumer price inflation was 3.10% in August 2026, below its five-year average of 5.16% (ONS). Every United Kingdom series on the site is listed below by theme, with its latest reading and change on a year earlier.
Key takeaways
- The unemployment rate stood at 4.90% in June 2026, against a five-year low of 3.60% (June 2022) and a high of 5.20% (November 2025) (ONS).
- Ten-year government bond yields were above shorter yields by 0.45 pp in September 2026, so the yield curve was upward sloping (Bank of England).
- Real GDP grew by 0.50% in Q2 2026 on the previous quarter (ONS).
What the latest data says
United Kingdom data on this page comes from the Bank of England and the Office for National Statistics. Bank of England lending series are a mix of amounts outstanding and monthly net flows, so the tables below say which is which.
- MFI sterling net lending to individuals (amount outstanding) reached £1,700.8 bn in August 2026, up 3.7% on a year earlier (Bank of England).
Biggest moves in the latest readings
- MFI net lending to private non-financial corporations (monthly change): up £717.0 mn to £2.7 bn in August 2026, a move of 8% of its five-year range.
- 5-year gilt yield (nominal par): up 0.33 pp to 4.92% in September 2026, a move of 8% of its five-year range.
- 10-year gilt yield (nominal par): up 0.31 pp to 5.37% in September 2026, a move of 7% of its five-year range.
- Real GDP: up 0.5% to £744.5 bn in Q2 2026, a move of 7% of its five-year range.
- Household M4 deposits and similar (monthly change): up £935.0 mn to £4.7 bn in August 2026, a move of 4% of its five-year range.
Policy rates
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee sets Bank Rate, the rate paid on the reserves commercial banks hold at the Bank. The series here is the monthly average of the daily rate.
| Indicator | Latest | Period | Change on a year earlier | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Rate | 3.75% | September 2026 | -0.25 pp | Bank of England |
Bond yields and markets
Nominal par gilt yields come from the Bank of England's yield curve estimates. The series used here has no two-year maturity, so the slope of the curve is measured as ten-year minus five-year yields.
| Indicator | Latest | Period | Change on a year earlier | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-year gilt yield (nominal par) | 5.37% | September 2026 | +0.68 pp | Bank of England |
| 10-year minus 5-year gilt yield spread | 0.45 pp | September 2026 | -0.21 pp | Bank of England |
| 5-year gilt yield (nominal par) | 4.92% | September 2026 | +0.89 pp | Bank of England |
Inflation
The Office for National Statistics publishes CPI and CPIH each month; CPIH adds the housing costs of owner-occupiers. The Bank of England's target is CPI inflation of 2%.
| Indicator | Latest | Period | Change on a year earlier | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer prices index, all items | 143.6 | August 2026 | +3.1% | ONS |
| CPI inflation, 12-month rate | 3.10% | August 2026 | -0.70 pp | ONS |
| CPIH inflation, 12-month rate | 3.30% | August 2026 | -0.80 pp | ONS |
Credit and lending
Lending to individuals and consumer credit are amounts outstanding from the Bank of England. Secured lending and lending to private non-financial companies are net flows in the month, so a negative figure means repayments exceeded new lending.
| Indicator | Latest | Period | Change on a year earlier | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer credit lending to individuals (amount outstanding) | £576.6 bn | March 2026 | +8.8% | Bank of England |
| MFI sterling net lending to individuals (amount outstanding) | £1,700.8 bn | August 2026 | +3.7% | Bank of England |
| MFI net lending to private non-financial corporations (monthly change) | £2.7 bn | August 2026 | -£1.1 bn | Bank of England |
| Net secured lending to individuals (monthly change) | £4.4 bn | August 2026 | -£267.0 mn | Bank of England |
Money and deposits
Household M4 is the money households hold with banks and building societies; the series here is its change in each month.
| Indicator | Latest | Period | Change on a year earlier | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Household M4 deposits and similar (monthly change) | £4.7 bn | August 2026 | -£768.0 mn | Bank of England |
Activity and labor
The ONS publishes real GDP each quarter and a monthly index of gross value added that gives an earlier read on output. The unemployment rate comes from the Labour Force Survey and covers the three months to the date shown.
| Indicator | Latest | Period | Change on a year earlier | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly gross value added index | 103.1 | August 2026 | +2.0% | ONS |
| Real GDP | £744.5 bn | Q2 2026 | +1.4% | ONS |
| Real GDP growth (quarter on quarter) | 0.50% | Q2 2026 | +0.50 pp | ONS |
| Unemployment rate | 4.90% | June 2026 | +0.20 pp | ONS |
Questions
What is the policy rate in the United Kingdom?
Bank Rate was 3.75% in September 2026, according to Bank of England.
What is the inflation rate in the United Kingdom?
Consumer prices were 3.10% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, according to Office for National Statistics.
What is the unemployment rate?
4.90% in June 2026. Unemployment rate, aged 16 and over, seasonally adjusted (three-month average ending in the month shown).
Which indicator moved most in the latest data?
MFI net lending to private non-financial corporations (monthly change), up £717.0 mn to £2.7 bn in August 2026, the largest move against its own five-year range.
How often is this page updated?
Each United Kingdom series here is reloaded from Bank of England and ONS when the publisher releases new data: 14 monthly series after each monthly release and 2 quarterly series after each quarterly release. The newest reading here is for September 2026.