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Bank of England: business view is crucial to our decisions

 

Andrew Sentance (pictured), an external member of the MPC and a former chief economist at British Airways, met with leading business people over his two-day tour.
 
He began by lunching with key retailers at thecentre:mk to gauge the state of local consumer spending before a private dinner at Flitwick Manor and a breakfast presentation to around 100 senior business people at Novotel Milton Keynes.
 
After his breakfast meeting, Mr Sentance visited the Charles Wells Pub Company in Bedford to hear from its managers and staff about the state of the Bedfordshire economy.
 
He said: “We will have to base our decisions on evidence that we can act on and how the economy performs in the next six to nine months. Information from the business community is going to be crucial.”
 
His visit to Milton Keynes was hosted by Milton Keynes Business Leaders Forum. Mr Sentence held discussions with other business representative bodies including the Institute of Directors, Milton Keynes & North Bucks Chamber of Commerce, Business Link and the Federation of Small Businesses.
 
Robert Goodman, centre director of thecentre:mk and president of Milton Keynes & North Bucks Chamber of Commerce, said: “The visit was a valuable exercise, allowing retailers within thecentre:mk to feedback to the Bank of England about the issues they face on a day-to-day basis.”

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