Finance

BoE's Breeden sees loosening labour market and disinflation, Sunday Times reports

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on June 1, 2025

2 min read

· Last updated: January 23, 2026

Add as preferred source on Google
BoE's Breeden sees loosening labour market and disinflation, Sunday Times reports
Global Banking & Finance Awards 2026 — Call for Entries

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) -Bank of England Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden highlighted a weakening labour market and slow economic growth in an interview published on Saturday, adding that "waves of

Bank of England's Breeden Discusses Labour Market and Disinflation Trends

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) -Bank of England Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden highlighted a weakening labour market and slow economic growth in an interview published on Saturday, adding that "waves of disinflation are continuing".

She told the Sunday Times that the central bank's narrative about continuing interest rate cuts was "not a million miles away from where the market is".

Breeden, deputy governor for financial stability, is widely regarded as a centrist on the nine-strong Monetary Policy Committee.

In May, she voted with the majority to cut interest rates by 0.25 percentage points, in a three-way split vote where two members voted to hold rates, and another two voted for a larger cut.

"The big picture, the landscape on which I'm thinking about policy, is that the waves of disinflation are continuing," Breeden said.

"I think the labour market is loosening. We've seen unemployment rise a little bit, and in addition we’ve got relatively weak growth."

She added that she had no pre-determined path for interest rates. 

Financial markets on Friday priced between two and three more quarter-point interest rate cuts between now and the end of the year, while a Reuters poll of economists published last week pointed to two.

(Reporting by Andy Bruce,Edirting by Franklin Paul)

Key Takeaways

  • Sarah Breeden sees a weakening UK labour market.
  • Disinflation trends are continuing in the UK.
  • Interest rate cuts align with market expectations.
  • Breeden voted for a 0.25% interest rate cut in May.
  • Financial markets expect further rate cuts this year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Sarah Breeden say about the labour market?
Breeden noted that the labour market is loosening, with a slight rise in unemployment and relatively weak economic growth.
What is the current outlook for interest rates according to Breeden?
Breeden mentioned that there is no pre-determined path for interest rates, aligning the central bank's narrative with market expectations for potential cuts.
How did Breeden vote on interest rates in May?
In May, Breeden voted with the majority to cut interest rates by 0.25 percentage points, amidst a split vote within the Monetary Policy Committee.
What does Breeden mean by 'waves of disinflation'?
Breeden indicated that the ongoing trends of disinflation are continuing, which affects the broader economic landscape and policy considerations.
What are financial market expectations for interest rates by year-end?
Financial markets are pricing in between two and three more quarter-point interest rate cuts before the end of the year.

Tags

Related Articles

More from Finance

Explore more articles in the Finance category