Summary Box: Bank of England policy makers vote 8-1 to hold interest rates steady this month

Summary Box: BoE almost unanimous on rates

STEADY NOW: Minutes of the Bank of England’s monthly meeting show that policy makers considered both expanding and withdrawing emergency stimulus — before voting 8-1 to hold interest rates at a record low of 0.5 percent.

DISSENT: One member of the monetary policy committee favored lifting the rate by a quarter percentage point, citing concerns about inflationary pressures and improvements in the economy.

BACKDROP: Inflation edged down to 3.1 percent last month, but remains well above the government’s 2 percent target. The central bank has kept rates at record lows as it tries to balance rising prices against a sputtering economic recovery.