Inflation has now almost doubled since September, when it was 1.7%.

Mortgage and rental spending grows 2.0%, but consumer confidence remains unchanged.

Mann explained why she will maintain "policy rate discipline and restrictiveness" despite voting for an ‘activist’ 50 basis point cut.

The Bank's Monetary Policy Committee voted 7-2 to reduce Bank Rate.

A third of first-time buyers think now is a good time to buy a home.

Residential mortgage approvals also increased in December.

"Financial stability is a foundation for growth. There isn’t a trade off in a fundamental sense", Bailey said.

"It's time to get interest rates back toward normal", Taylor says.

UK GDP has increased for the first time in three months.

Swap rates have been rising in recent weeks and concerns about persistent inflation is a key driver.