Report 03 · Monthly

Savings Rate Watch

+0.5%is the real return on savings that match Bank Rate (4%) after 3.5% inflation. Savings below 3.5% are losing spending power.

Bank Rate after the 5 November 2026 decision · CPI to September 2026

Rates vs. inflation

% a year

Bank Rate

4.0%

CPI inflation

3.5%

Bank of England target

2.0%

TL;DRBank Rate is above inflation, so the better savings accounts are finally beating rising prices.

£40interest on £1,000 a year at a 4% AER.Our maths

£35what 3.5% inflation takes off the spending power of £1,000 in a year.Our maths on ONS CPI

10%of UK adults had no cash savings at all, and another 21% had under £1,000.FCA Financial Lives 2024

TL;DRIf your savings pay less than 3.5%, your money is buying a little less each year.

Your 5-minute move

Find your savings rate in your banking app. If it’s below 3.5%, inflation is outrunning it.

Receipts · checked 9 November 2026