Interest rates put on hold

The Bank of England is likely to retain interest rates at their present rate this month following weak consumer spending in the run up to Christmas, according to business consultancy and accounting services BDO Stoy Hayward. With household purse strings predicted to tighten further, BDO Stoy Hayward expects interest rates to remain unchanged during the first quarter of 2004. Intermediary group Charcol also thinks the base rate will not increase for the next few months. Ray Boulger, senior technical manager at Charcol, said: "Long- term fixed rate prices are little changed compared ...