THE Bank of England today kept the cost of borrowing steady by holding the base rate at 0.5%.

It also refrained from expanding its quantitative easing plan - in effect increasing the money supply into the economy - from £125bn.

The Bank has been prepared to inject bilions of pounds into the economy by buying assets such as government securities and corporate bonds.

Gary Lumby, president of Leeds Chamber, said: "Most expected interest rates to be kept on hold, so the real debate is over the success, size......for the full story register now for free or login below...