Introduction: Data splurge ahead, and a Bailey speech
Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.
After a week of bond market jitters, today we’re going to get some fresh insight into central bankers’ thinking, and the health of the UK and US economies.
Bank of England governor AndrewBailey is due to speak in London this morning – a day after his chief economist called for higher UK interest rates. Will Bailey – among the majority who voted to leave rates on hold in July –push back?
Opponents of rate rises point out they hurt growth, and won’t tackle the oil supply shock caused by the Iran war.
This morning, a survey of UK builders will show how they’re coping, while the UN’s latest food price index will show if stables such as dairy, cereals, sugar, and meat are getting even pricier.
Then this afternoon, the Non-Farm Payroll will show how many jobs America added last month. Back in July, the NFP showed a shock fall in employment – economists expect a rebound in August, with forecasts for around 56,000 new jobs.
The agenda
9am BST: UN’s FAO Food Price Index
9am BST: SMMT car sales
9.30am BST: UK construction PMI
9.30am BST: Bank of England’s Monthly Decision Maker Panel data - August 2026
9.30am BST: ONS Economic activity and social change in the UK, real-time indicators
9.50am BST: Andrew Bailey gives keynote speech at LSE TRIUM Anniversary Conference, London
1.30pm BST: US non-farm payrolls jobs report