In line with February, there were no major surprises in the BoE MPC's March announcement with Bank Rate again left at the 5.25 percent level to which it was raised back in August last year. However, there was a modestly dovish shift in the voting pattern. Almost inevitably, Swati Dhingra, the main dove, repeated her call for a 25 basis point cut but the six members who again voted for no change were joined by both Jonathan Haskell and Catherine Mann who had called for a 25 basis point hike last time.

Predictably, the QT programme was left unamended with the MPC simply re-affirming its aim to reduce the stock of gilts held in the Asset Purchase Facility by £100 billion to £658 billion over the 12 months that began in October. In late-March, the overall stock stood at £729.9 billion, comprising just under £729.8 billion of gilts and £0.1 billion of sterling non-financial investment-grade corporate bonds.

The MPC acknowledged that inflation in February (3.4 percent) was weaker than expected and now sees it dipping below 2 percent this quarter, mainly due to one-off factors. It also noted that most indicators of short-term inflation expectations have continued to ease. However, the bank still forecasts prices to re-accelerate over the second half of the year as key indicators of inflation persistence remain elevated, particularly in services. MPC member remains suspicious about the reliability of the official labour market statistics but noted that the bank's own regional agents expect some decline in pay settlements this year and firms to have greater difficulty in passing on cost increases to prices. Even so, current wage growth remains high.

In terms of fiscal policy, the Spring Budget was thought likely to increase the level of GDP by only around 0.25 percent over coming years but since potential supply should also be raised, its implications for inflationary pressures were deemed insignificant.

Following a slightly steeper than expected drop in yesterday's February inflation report, the conditions are clearly falling into place for a cut in Bank Rate, a situation reflected in the change in this month's voting pattern. However, although current trends are favourable, there is work to do yet before either the core rate (4.5 percent) or the rate in services (6.1 percent) get close to the 2 percent target. A full-blown ease before June is now more possible but still looks unlikely.

Bank Rate is expected to be left at 5.25 percent. Swati Dhingra is almost certain to vote again for a 25 basis point cut but will probably be the lone dove.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England (BoE) comprises nine experts, five of which are senior central bank executives and the other four are external members appointed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The MPC previously announced its monetary policy with regard to interest rates and any unconventional policy instruments every month but this was changed when the meeting schedule was truncated to eight a year in 2016. With a view to enhancing policy transparency, as of August 2015 the minutes of the MPC's deliberations, which indicate how each member voted, have been released alongside the policy announcement. Forward guidance was introduced in August 2013 but since then its framework has become increasingly qualitative and now provides only limited information about where policy might be headed.

The Bank of England determines interest rate policy at their Monetary Policy Committee meetings. These meetings currently occur during the first week of each month and are an influential event for the markets. Prior to each meeting, market participants speculate about the possibility of a change in the benchmark Bank Rate or unconventional monetary instruments. The MPC may or may not issue a post-meeting statement explaining its decisions in addition to the discussion’s minutes which, since August 2015, have been released alongside the policy announcement. If the outcome is different from expectations, the impact on the markets can be dramatic and far-reaching. In the middle month of each quarter, the Bank publishes its Inflation Report, which provides a detailed analysis of economic conditions and the prospects for economic growth and inflation agreed by the MPC. This is now made available at the same time as the policy announcement and release of the minutes.

The Bank's monetary policy objective is to deliver price stability - low inflation - and, subject to that, to support the Government's economic objectives including those for growth and employment. A remit announced by the Chancellor in March 2013 hinted that the real economy may have a larger say in policy decisions going forward. Price stability is defined by the Government's medium-term inflation target of 2 percent, as measured by the annual change in the consumer price index. The foundation of the Bank's policy is the recognition of role of price stability in achieving economic stability more generally, and in providing the right conditions for sustainable growth in output and employment. The Government's inflation target is announced each year by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the annual Budget statement.

As in the United States, market participants speculate about the possibility of an interest rate change at these meetings. If the outcome is different from expectations, the impact on British markets - and to some extent those in Europe - can be dramatic and far-reaching. The interest rate set by the Bank of England, serves as a benchmark for all other rates. A change in the rate translates directly through to all other interest rates from gilts (fixed interest government securities named after the paper on which they were once printed) to mortgage loans.

The Bank of England sets an interest rate (Bank Rate) at which it lends to financial institutions. This interest rate then affects the whole range of interest rates set by commercial banks, building societies and other institutions for their own savers and borrowers. It also tends to affect the price of financial assets, such as bonds and shares, and the exchange rate, which affect consumer and business demand in a variety of ways. Lowering or raising interest rates affects spending in the economy.

The level of interest rates affects the economy. Higher interest rates tend to slow economic activity; lower interest rates stimulate economic activity. Either way, interest rates influence the sales environment. In the consumer sector, few homes or cars will be purchased when interest rates rise. Furthermore, interest rate costs are a significant factor for many businesses, particularly for companies with high debt loads or who have to finance high inventory levels. This interest cost has a direct impact on corporate profits. The bottom line is that higher interest rates are bearish for the financial markets, while lower interest rates are bullish.