Bank under fire over rate shock: The reaction

City economists and exporters condemn quarter-point rise

'A hammer blow for homeowners and business'

Francis Maude shadow Chancellor

'A slap in the face for exporters'

Ian Campbell director-general Institute of Export

'There will be increasing job losses in manufacturing'

Graham Mackenzie, director-general Engineering Employers' Federation

'Taking the markets by surprise will have won the Bank few friends'

Ciaran Barr senior UK economist Deutsche Bank

'The committee have made a mistake'

Neil Parker Royal Bank of Scotland

'The need [for a rise] has been apparent for some time'

Kevin Darlington ABN Amro