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Economy at risk from Brexit uncertainty, says Bank of England

Britain is expected to avoid a technical recession, but growth in the third quarter is likely to be weaker than previously forecast

The Bank of England in London(Image: PA)

The Bank of England kept interest rates on hold at 0.75% and warned "entrenched" Brexit uncertainty risks damaging the economy further.

Members of the nine-strong Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted unanimously to leave rates unchanged, in the last such meeting before the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ is due to leave the EU on October 31.

In minutes of the decision, the Bank said Britain is expected to avoid a technical recession, but cautioned growth in the third quarter is likely to be weaker than it previously forecast, at 0.2%.

This follows a contraction of 0.2% in the April to June quarter.

The Bank said Brexit uncertainty has become more "entrenched" and is hampering growth, cautioning that mounting political chaos and the prospect of a potential snap election will keep the economy under pressure.

But it will also keep inflation in check, easing the pressure on the Bank to increase rates and could leave the door open to a cut if the Government remains unable to resolve Brexit.

It said: "Political events could lead to a further period of entrenched uncertainty about the nature of and the transition to the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ's eventual future trading relationship with the EU.

"The longer those uncertainties persisted, particularly in an environment of weaker global growth, the more likely it was that demand growth would remain below potential, increasing excess supply."