The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voted 5–4 to keep the Bank Rate at 4% in November 2025. The minutes highlight easing inflation pressures, moderating wage growth, and growing labour market slack. Policymakers see inflation risks as more balanced, with further rate adjustments depending on upcoming data.

This report examines how the 2025 U.S. government shutdown became the longest in American history, comparing it with the 2018–2019 shutdown and analyzing the political standoff at its core. It explains the policy clash driving the crisis — ACA subsidies vs. spending cuts — outlines its economic and market consequences, and breaks down how congressional dynamics and razor-thin majorities have prolonged the stalemate. The piece also reviews how the 2018–2019 shutdown was resolved and explores the most likely paths to ending the current deadlock, from bipartisan “off-ramp” deals to rising public and economic pressure.