THE chief economist at the Bank of England is coming to York next week.

Charles Bean, who is also a member of the bank's powerful Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which monthly decides on UK interest rates, will talk to a range of specially-invited bank contacts and others in regional business and industry at The Grange Hotel, York on Thursday, August 18.

It is one of several visits he makes each year to the regions to get a first-hand impression of the local economy. These complement the monthly reports provided to the MPC by the Bank's 12 regional agents.

On this visit, Mr Bean will listen to reactions to the latest lowering of interest rates by .25 per cent

He will be accompanied by Mark Pratt, the bank's agent for Yorkshire and The Humber, and Paul Fullerton, the deputy agent.

Updated: 11:20 Monday, August 08, 2005