Split over rate rise
An interest rate rise was ruled out in August because of the risk it might make the downturn "unnecessarily deep", the Bank of England has revealed.
Monetary Policy Committee member Tim Besley voted to increase the cost of borrowing by 0.25% to 5.25%, minutes of this month's meeting showed.
But seven members chose to keep the rate steady at 5%. The other committee member voted for a rate cut.