Britain is heading for a protracted recession as inflation surges above 13%, the Bank of England has warned.
The bank, which yesterday raised interest by the largest single increase since 1995, to 1.75%, said the global gas crisis would continue to push up prices.
The forthcoming recession, which will start at the end of the year, is not expected to be as deep as the banking meltdown in 2008 but may last just as long.