With the unemployment rate falling faster than anyone imagined (particularly the BOE and IMF) and UK growth being refreshingly higher than any other country in the Q7, Mr. Carney is using the method of announcing the prospects of higher interest rates ahead of actually doing so. This has all the advantages of raising interest rates without the disadvantage that it may have on the growth of the economy and confidence.
Mervin King used to do this when he was Governor and it was very effective. The mere spectre of higher interest rates will start to have the desired effect on controlling the money supply before any changes are implemented. Continue reading