About
Date: Thursday 24 April 2025, 5.30pm to 8pm
The Bank of England will hear from residents in Reading about the impact of the cost of living on their finances and their experiences of the UK's housing market, as part of our Citizens' Forum programme.
The aim is to gather information to complement existing data and analysis, and help inform our policy decisions.
The need to squeeze inflation out of the economy to reach the 2% target (in a timely manner and on a lasting basis) has guided monetary policy. High inflation has affected everyone but it particularly hurts those who can least afford it.
Inflation has fallen over the last year and is at 2.6% (as of April 2025). At its March meeting, the Monetary Policy Committee maintained Bank Rate at 4.5%.
The event will give attendees the opportunity to share their views with Bank officials, including Jane Cathrall, Executive Director, People. She will be joined by staff from the Bank's agency for the central southern region.
The chair will be Jon Yates, joint CEO of Berkshire Community Foundation.
Entry is via pre-registration for forum members only but anyone over 18 can to join our community and register to attend the Reading panel session before Thursday 10 April – when registration closes.
The Bank will provide refreshments and make a payment of £25 to all attendees to cover expenses.
For more information about the Citizens' Forum programme or if you would like to attend the event, please contact Ann Whittaker on BankofEnglandOutreach@bankofengland.co.uk.