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Bank of England base rate

The Bank Rate is the Bank of England's policy rate — often called the base rate. It feeds into tracker and variable mortgage pricing, savings rates, and wider borrowing costs.

Published Bank Rate (indicative)

3.75%

Latest observation in BoE series IUDBEDR: 2 April 2026

Official Bank Rate on bankofengland.co.uk

Official Bank Rate

Bank of England statistical series

Data source & disclaimers

The figure in the hero is indicative. Mortgage118 reads the published daily series; always verify the live rate with the Bank of England before making decisions.

Series IUDBEDR

Official Bank Rate — confirm on the Bank of England before acting.

Latest daily observation in the Bank of England series IUDBEDR (Official Bank Rate): 2 April 2026. This page is regenerated periodically (last build slice: 7 April 2026).

Always confirm on the Bank of England Bank Rate page.

Bank Rate history

Explore rate changes over time. We load up to 30 years from the Bank of England IUDBEDR series; use the time range controls on the chart panel. The chart and table stay in sync — click a point on the chart or a row in the table to highlight the same change.

Bank Rate over time

Time range

10 years: 25 changes in view

Step line: the rate stays flat until the next BoE change. Hover or focus a marker for the exact date and percentage; click to match a table row.

Tip: click a dot to jump to that row in the table. Click again to clear the highlight.

Change dates and rates

Newest first — same observations as the chart for this range. Showing 10 of 25 changes.

Effective from (series date)Bank Rate
18 December 20253.75%
7 August 20254%
8 May 20254.25%
6 February 20254.5%
7 November 20244.75%
1 August 20245%
3 August 20235.25%
22 June 20235%
11 May 20234.5%
23 March 20234.25%

Illustrative tracker margins

Arithmetic only — not a quote. If a tracker were Bank Rate plus a fixed margin, the all-in rate would move with Bank Rate; your offer terms and rounding may differ.

Margin above Bank RateIllustrative all-in rate nowIf Bank Rate +0.25%
+0%3.75%4.00%
+1%4.75%5.00%
+2%5.75%6.00%

How this affects your mortgage

Product types respond differently when the Bank of England changes Bank Rate.

Fixed-rate deals lock your pay rate for the fixed period; your monthly payment usually stays the same until the fix ends, even when Bank Rate moves. New fixed rates in the market reflect swap curves and funding costs as well as expectations for Bank Rate.

Tracker mortgages typically follow Bank Rate (or a similar reference) plus a set margin for the tracker period — so your pay rate often moves up or down when Bank Rate changes, subject to your offer terms and any “floor” rate.

Standard variable rate (SVR) is set by each lender. It often moves after Bank Rate changes, but lenders are not required to pass on any particular amount or timing.

Lenders must assess affordability against stressed interest rates (not just today's pay rate). For personalised scenarios, speak to an FCA-authorised mortgage broker or adviser.

Bank Rate vs “base rate”

Official name versus everyday language.

The Bank of England's policy rate is officially called Bank Rate. In everyday language, many people and lenders still say base rate. On this page we use both terms to match how borrowers search and how lenders describe products.

Who sets it and how often?

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) and the published meeting schedule.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) votes on Bank Rate to meet the inflation target. The committee publishes a schedule of meetings; Bank Rate can change on those decision dates (or at other times if the Bank announces an interim change). It does not move every day — the daily series shows the same level until a decision updates it.

Common questions

Quick answers — not regulated advice.

Does my fixed rate change when base rate changes?

During the fixed period, your contractual pay rate normally stays the same. When the fix ends, you usually move to a follow-on rate (often the lender's SVR or a new product you choose) — that is when wider rate moves tend to matter most.

Is the Bank Rate the same as my mortgage rate?

No. Bank Rate is a policy reference. Your mortgage rate is set by your lender's product rules: fixed, tracker, discount, or SVR, plus fees and incentives.

Where is the authoritative figure?

The Bank of England Bank Rate page is the official source. Mortgage118 displays the published statistical series for convenience only.

More on Mortgage118

Tools and guides that sit alongside this reference.

Browse our broker directory by area, see typical rate ranges for first-time buyer mortgages, read our guide on how much a mortgage broker costs (including how base rate affects example payments), or get matched with a broker. Mortgage118 does not provide regulated advice.

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