The Bank of England is set to relieve home-owners by keeping interest rates on hold this week.

The bank's monetary policy committee is likely to maintain base rates at 3.75 per cent on Thursday, according to economists.

However, increasingly strong economic growth and few signs of a consumer spending slowdown mean rates will probably rise next month.

The committee voted by eight votes to one to keep rates on hold last month after raising them by 0.25 per cent in November in a bid to control consumer debt and soaring house prices.

Monday January 05, 2004