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Will inflation fall below 5%?
This week’s inflation forecast suggests we could be heading for a drop below 5%. While it will still fall short of the Bank’s 2% target, savings could for the first time in almost 15 years beat inflation - but only if you act now, says Kalpana Fitzpatrick
Inflation is expected to dip below 5% this week - down to 4.8% for October from 6.7% in September.
The Monetary Policy Report last week said it could hit 4.8%, and remain at more or less that level for the rest of 2023 following lower petrol and food inflation.
If the figures are as expected when released tomorrow (15 November), the government will have achieved its ambition of halving inflation, yet it will still be above the Bank’s 2% target.
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Join more than 165,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with latest financial news, insights and expert analysis to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
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While this means prices of goods and services may not rise as fast, it also means that we could for the first time since the financial crisis in 2008 be looking at inflation busting rates on savings accounts.
In November 2008, inflation hit 3.8% while rates were at 3%. In March 2009, interest rates fell to 0.5% while inflation floated at 2.8%.
(Image credit: ONS)
While inflation peaked to 9.6% In October last year - almost hitting the highs seen in 1990 - interest rates have taken time to rise.
Amid the interest rate hikes we’ve seen over the last two years, savings accounts have become a talking point, but only to a certain point as most people are still losing value over the long term on cash unless their interest rates on their savings beats inflation.
But assuming inflation does drop as expected, could these accounts be worth another look and should investing still form a key part of growing your wealth?
What accounts will give me the inflation busting returns?
Best one year fixed accounts
For more and the latest rates, see MoneyWeek’s article on the top fixed savings accounts.
Best easy access accounts
If you need easy access to your money, then these easy access accounts could also beat inflation.
For more and the latest rates, see MoneyWeek’s article on the top easy access savings accounts.
Why do I need to act fast?
If inflation is pushed down for October, there will be less pressure on the Bank of England to continue with further base rate hikes. And in fact, we have already seen this happening as the bank has kept rates frozen at 5.25% for the last two months.
If you are looking to secure some top rates, you may want to act fast as a pause in rate hikes could mean we have reached the peak of the best deals when it comes to savings.
We have already seen several 6%+ rates disappear from the market in last few weeks which include: NS&I 6.2%, Union Bank of India 6.11%, Habib Bank 6.03%, IVH Bank 6% Ford Money 6.05% and Kent Reliance 6.06%
And today (14 November), NS&I also slashed the rate on its green bonds from 5.7% to 3.95%, suggesting rate hikes may have peaked.
The best you can now get for fixed savings is 5.9% via Metro Bank.
While we do not know what interest rates will do, Huw Pill, chief economist of the Bank of England, said it was essential interest rates stayed as they are to help control inflation. Meanwhile, Governor Andrew Bailey has said it is too early to talk about cuts.
So, it looks like we could be stuck with the rate as it is for some time yet there are no guarantees. Anything from oil, price spike or wage increases could well trigger a rate hike.A weak economy could also see cuts.
Anyone looking to make the most of their savings, should think about bagging the rates now.
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