The Bank of England said on Thursday it would expand its quantitative easing program by 25 billion pounds to help kick-start Britain's recession-hit economy. Skip related content
Related photos / videos
The increase brings the central bank's total asset-buying program to 200 billion pounds, the equivalent of more than 14 percent of Britain's economic output.
The Bank also left interest rates unchanged at a record low of 0.5 percent, as expected.
Two-thirds of analysts had predicted the Bank would expand its asset-buying scheme, but opinion had been split on whether the increase would be 25 billion or 50 billion pounds.
Conflicting signals over the health of Britain's economy had made this week's decision a difficult one to call. Britain's economy contracted unexpectedly in the third quarter, making the current recession the longest since records began more than 50 years ago, but more forward-looking surveys have painted a brighter picture.
(Editing by Mike Peacock)
Tributes have been paid to a schoolgirl who died after slipping in her high heels and falling under a train while waving goodbye to her friends.
