Finance

UK public's medium-term inflation expectations stay high in May

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on June 13, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 23, 2026

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UK public's medium-term inflation expectations stay high in May
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LONDON (Reuters) -The British public's expectations for inflation over the medium term remained at their highest in several years although short-term expectations fell, according to a Bank of England

UK Inflation Expectations Remain Elevated in May Despite Short-Term Drop

LONDON (Reuters) -The British public's expectations for inflation over the medium term remained at their highest in several years although short-term expectations fell, according to a Bank of England survey on Friday ahead of its interest rates decision next week.

The central bank looks closely at surveys of the inflation expectations among the public and investors for a guide as to how likely people are to seek wage rises or accept higher prices for goods and services.

May's survey showed expectations for inflation in five years' time held at 3.6%, unchanged from February's reading which was the highest since November 2019.

Expectations for inflation in one to two years' time remained 3.2%, the highest since November 2022, while expectations for one year's time dropped to 3.2% from 3.4%.

Britain's Office for National Statistic reported that consumer price inflation rose to 3.5% in April from 2.6% in March.

The BoE survey was based on polling of people aged 16-75 between May 9 and May 13.

(Reporting by David Milliken; editing by Suban Abdulla)

Key Takeaways

  • UK medium-term inflation expectations remain high.
  • Short-term inflation expectations have decreased.
  • Bank of England closely monitors public inflation expectations.
  • Inflation expectations for five years remain at 3.6%.
  • Consumer price inflation rose to 3.5% in April.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the medium-term inflation expectations in the UK?
The medium-term inflation expectations in the UK remain at 3.6%, unchanged since February, marking the highest level since November 2019.
How did short-term inflation expectations change?
Short-term inflation expectations for one year dropped to 3.2% from 3.4%, while expectations for one to two years remained stable at 3.2%, the highest since November 2022.
What recent data was reported by the Office for National Statistics?
The Office for National Statistics reported that consumer price inflation rose to 3.5% in April, up from 2.6% in March.
Who conducted the survey on inflation expectations?
The survey was conducted by the Bank of England, polling individuals aged 16-75 between May 9 and May 13.
Why does the Bank of England monitor inflation expectations?
The Bank of England closely monitors inflation expectations to gauge how likely people are to seek wage increases or accept higher prices for goods and services.

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