Bank of England keeps rates on hold

[April 20, 2010]  LONDON (AP) -- The Bank of England has kept interest rates at a record low of 0.5 percent for the 13th consecutive month in its last decision before a national election.

It has also left its 200 billion-pound asset purchasing program on hold in Thursday's announcement.

The decision had been widely anticipated amid concerns that Britain's recovery from a punishing 18-month long downturn remains fragile. The perilous state of the economy is expected to be a major factor in the election scheduled for May 6.

Both the ruling Labour Party and the main opposition Conservative Party are trying to convince voters that they have a clear plan to reduce the country's massive budget deficit -- but both also warn that Britons face a new age of austerity regardless of the election outcome.

[Associated Press]

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