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Government Securities

Answer

The Bank of England has operational independence from the government to carry out its statutory responsibilities for monetary policy and financial stability. Monetary policy, including quantitative easing, is the responsibility of the independent Monetary Policy Committee at the Bank of England.

The separation of fiscal and monetary policy is a key feature of the UK’s economic framework, it is in line with international standards and essential for the effective delivery of monetary policy, so the government does not comment on the conduct or effectiveness of monetary policy.

Since October 2022, HM Treasury has transferred £93.32bn to the Bank of England to cover losses arising from the indemnity of the Asset Purchase Facility, the vehicle used to implement quantitative easing. This covers losses incurred from net interest costs and the sale and redemption of bonds as the portfolio is unwound. Since 2013, the Bank of England has transferred £123.85bn to HM Treasury, giving HM Treasury a net position of £30.53bn to date

Data on these cash transfers between HM Treasury and the Bank of England are made publicly available by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in its monthly Public Sector Finances publication. The data are available in the ONS data series ID MF7A in worksheet PSA9B.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

HL10587

Session

2024-26

Grouped for answer

Yes

Subjects

Government securities Public sector debt Sales

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk