Bank holds rate at 4.25% amid Middle East tensions and global uncertainty
Jump in energy and water bills drives inflation to 3.5% in April
Strong services sector drove 0.7% Q1 rise in GDP
Cut to 4.25% comes even though the central bank expects a short-term rise in inflation
Treasury chief plans to boost defence spending while cutting welfare and hiking taxes
Policymakers signal gradual cuts ahead as inflation risks linger
The latest data piles pressure on the Treasury chief ahead of a key economic statement
March rate cut looks unlikely as inflation rose to January 3% from 2.5% the previous month
Two of the nine-member panel voted for an even bigger cut
Inflation eased to 2.5% in December, down from 2.6% the previous month