") no-repeat center center;background-size:10px 16px;content:' '}@media(min-width:768px){.UeJNJ::before{display:none}}.cwGMas{width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:400px}.gSkBXd{aspect-ratio:16/9}.cDsnpW{max-width:100%;clear:both}.iABAfY{color:#222;color:light-dark(#222,#fff)}.iABAfY::before{display:block;z-index:1;width:2px;height:68px;margin-left:29px;background-color:#919191;background-color:light-dark(#919191,#646464);content:''}@media(min-width:1000px){.iABAfY.mobile-only{display:none}}.jTdbGp{position:relative;min-height:600px;padding:24px 0;border-width:1px 0;border-style:solid;border-color:#919191;border-color:light-dark(#919191,#646464);background-color:#fff;background-color:light-dark(#fff,#000);font-weight:normal;text-align:center}.jTdbGp:has(#taboola-carousel-thumbnails),.jTdbGp:has(#taboola-mid-article-thumbnails-live-blogs){min-height:426px}@media(min-width:1000px){.jTdbGp{min-height:450px}}.jTdbGp strong{margin-top:0}.jTdbGp::before{position:absolute;top:4px;left:24px;color:#919191;color:light-dark(#919191,#e9e9e9);content:'Advertisement';font-family:'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:normal}.jTdbGp>div{position:sticky;top:16px}.bPZjxE{padding:20px;border:1px solid #919191;border:1px solid light-dark(#919191,#646464);background-color:#fff;background-color:light-dark(#fff,#000)}@media(max-width:999px){.bPZjxE{position:relative !important;top:0 !important;left:0 !important;width:auto !important}}.bPZjxE a{color:#222;color:light-dark(#222,#fff);font-size:14px;font-weight:bold}.bPZjxE h2{padding:0;margin:0 0 20px;font-family:'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif;font-size:14px;text-transform:uppercase}@media(min-width:768px){.bPZjxE h2{font-size:16px}}.bPZjxE.sticky-video{position:fixed;top:292px !important}.gnlWBp ul{padding:0;list-style:none}.gnlWBp li{position:relative;padding-bottom:22px;padding-left:31px;font-size:14px;font-weight:bold}.gnlWBp li::before{display:block;position:absolute;top:0;left:2px;z-index:2;width:19px;height:19px;border-radius:50%;background-color:transparent;background-image:url(/img/icons/related-links.svg);background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:19px;content:' '}.gnlWBp li::after{display:block;position:absolute;top:0;left:11px;height:100%;border:1px solid #919191;border:1px solid light-dark(#919191,#646464);content:''}.gnlWBp li:last-child{padding-bottom:0}.gnlWBp li:last-child::after{display:none}.gnlWBp li a:hover{color:#ac2a2c;color:light-dark(#ac2a2c,#f58992)}.gnlWBp.climate-key-points li::before{background-image:url(/img/icons/related-links-climate.svg)}.gnlWBp.sgi-key-points li::before{background-image:url(/img/icons/related-links-sgi.svg)}.bUGofg{display:flex;width:9px;height:12px;align-items:center}.ydSHg{transform:rotate(180deg)}.lmyZJn{display:flex;width:14px;height:12px;align-items:center}.bUpbFT{transform:rotate(180deg)}.kIBmbX{display:none;color:inherit}@media(min-width:768px){.kIBmbX{display:inline}}.iTudzm{margin-left:16px}.dGtwuJ{margin-right:16px}.chjlWI{font-weight:bold}.crayfi{display:flex;width:48px;height:48px;align-items:center;justify-content:center;border-radius:4px;box-shadow:.5px .5px 2px rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);box-shadow:.5px .5px 2px light-dark(rgba(0,0,0,0.5),rgba(0,0,0,0.5)),0 1px 2px light-dark(rgba(0,0,0,0.5),rgba(0,0,0,0.5));color:#646464;color:light-dark(#646464,#bdbdbd);font-size:18px}.crayfi:hover{color:#646464;color:light-dark(#646464,#bdbdbd)}.crayfi:nth-child(2){margin-right:auto}@media(min-width:375px){.crayfi:nth-child(2){margin-right:0}}@media(min-width:768px){.crayfi{width:44px;height:44px}}.esSyKe{margin-right:16px}.kvnBex{width:64px}@media(min-width:768px){.kvnBex{width:159px}}.iWdqGw{margin-left:16px}.kOJVdV{display:flex;position:absolute;bottom:4px;width:151px;height:27px;align-items:center;justify-content:center;border-radius:20px;background:#f7f7f7;background:light-dark(#f7f7f7,#222);text-align:center}@media(min-width:375px){.kOJVdV{position:relative;bottom:auto;width:auto;height:auto;flex-grow:1;padding:0;background:0}}.eUBpKG{display:flex;position:relative;justify-content:center;padding:8px 8px 40px;margin:16px 0 30px;border:1px solid #919191;border:1px solid light-dark(#919191,#646464);background:#fff;background:light-dark(#fff,#000);font-family:'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif;font-size:14px}@media(min-width:375px){.eUBpKG{padding-bottom:8px}}@media(min-width:768px){.eUBpKG{padding:16px;margin-bottom:16px;font-size:18px}}.rAFIl{width:100%;box-sizing:border-box}@media(min-width:768px){.rAFIl{max-width:634px}}@media(min-width:1250px){.rAFIl{max-width:622px}}.dLkuvY{display:flex;width:auto;box-sizing:border-box;align-items:center;justify-content:flex-start;gap:4px;color:#ec1a2e;color:light-dark(#ec1a2e,#ec1a2e)}.jrwZqm{display:block;font:bold 14px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif;text-decoration-line:underline;margin-block:0;text-align:center}.dHXFkr{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:4px}.dHXFkr:hover .sc-aja53j-2,.dHXFkr:hover .sc-a5wy94-0{color:#ac2a2c;color:light-dark(#ac2a2c,#f58992)}.lcJUSj{font:normal 16px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}.hJPJVF{display:flex;position:relative;overflow:hidden;width:auto;height:40px;flex-direction:column;order:-1;gap:8px;opacity:1;transition:all .5s ease-in-out;transition-behavior:allow-discrete}.hJPJVF::after{--fade-from:rgba(255,255,255,0);--fade-mid:rgba(255,255,255,0.5);--fade-to:#fff;position:absolute;bottom:0;left:0;z-index:1;width:100%;height:40px;background-image:linear-gradient(to bottom,var(--fade-from) 0,var(--fade-mid) 50%,var(--fade-to) 100%);content:'';opacity:1;pointer-events:none;transition:opacity 150ms ease-out}@supports(color:light-dark(red,red)){.hJPJVF::after{--fade-from:light-dark(rgba(255,255,255,0),rgba(0,0,0,0))}}@supports(color:light-dark(red,red)){.hJPJVF::after{--fade-mid:light-dark(rgba(255,255,255,0.5),rgba(0,0,0,0.5))}}@supports(color:light-dark(red,red)){.hJPJVF::after{--fade-to:light-dark(#fff,#000)}}@media(min-width:768px){.PdmgT{order:-1}}@media(min-width:768px){.eMEmGu{display:flex;position:relative;align-items:flex-start;margin-top:12px}}.bFLehF{position:relative;margin:0 0 16px;clear:both}.bFLehF:last-of-type{margin-bottom:0}@media(min-width:768px) and (max-width:999px){header .bFLehF.image{padding:0 16px}.article-infact header .bFLehF.image{padding:0}}.bFLehF img{object-fit:cover;outline:0}.bFLehF.align-left,.bFLehF.align-right{width:50%;padding:0;margin-bottom:16px}.bFLehF.align-left{width:100%;margin-left:0}@media(min-width:768px){.bFLehF.align-left{width:174px;margin-right:16px;float:left}}@media(min-width:1000px){.bFLehF.align-left{width:318px}}@media(min-width:1000px){.bFLehF.align-left.subscribed{margin-left:-16%}}.bFLehF.align-right{width:100%}@media(min-width:768px){.bFLehF.align-right{width:174px;margin-left:24px;float:right}}@media(min-width:1000px){.bFLehF.align-right{width:318px}}@media(min-width:1000px){.bFLehF.align-right.subscribed{margin-right:-16%}}@media(min-width:768px){.article-premium header .bFLehF{margin:0}}.dTRzvY{display:flex;position:relative}.dTRzvY[data-gallery-length]:hover{cursor:pointer}.dTRzvY[data-gallery-length]::after{position:absolute;right:6px;bottom:6px;padding:10px 9px 10px 41px;background:rgba(247,247,247,0.67) url(/img/icons/icon-gallery.svg) 10px 50%/24px auto no-repeat;background:light-dark(rgba(247,247,247,0.67),rgba(34,34,34,0.67)) url(/img/icons/icon-gallery.svg) 10px 50%/24px auto no-repeat;content:attr(data-gallery-length);font:normal 19px/23px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}.gBdGAT{margin:.8em 0 16px;font:bold 1.17em/27px 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif}.koHGJn{margin-bottom:16px}.koHGJn:last-of-type{margin-bottom:0}.jZVvmE img{max-width:100%}.jZVvmE p{margin:16px 0}.jZVvmE p:first-of-type{margin-top:0}.dkkdKn{color:#222;color:light-dark(#222,#fff)}.eRBxyC{display:flex;position:relative;align-items:center;padding:24px 0 24px 20px;color:#646464;color:light-dark(#646464,#bdbdbd);font:bold 17px/23px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}.eRBxyC.has-pin-weight{padding:12px 0 12px 20px}.eRBxyC:hover{color:#919191;color:light-dark(#919191,#e9e9e9);cursor:pointer}.eRBxyC::before{z-index:1;width:16px;height:16px;margin-right:8px;border:2px solid #d3d3d3;border:2px solid light-dark(#d3d3d3,#919191);border-radius:50%;background:#fff;background:light-dark(#fff,#000);content:''}.eRBxyC::after{display:block;position:absolute;top:-1px;left:29px;height:100%;border:1px solid #919191;border:1px solid light-dark(#919191,#646464);content:''}.eRBxyC.has-pin-weight::before{display:none}.lcidJD{position:relative;padding:20px;border:1px solid #919191;border:1px solid light-dark(#919191,#646464);font-weight:normal}.lcidJD strong{margin-top:0}.lcidJD h2{font-size:21px}.lcidJD h3 a{color:#ec1a2e;color:light-dark(#ec1a2e,#ec1a2e)}.lcidJD h3 a:hover{color:#ac2a2c;color:light-dark(#ac2a2c,#f58992)}.enJyGh{display:flex;padding:16px;border:1px solid #919191;border:1px solid light-dark(#919191,#646464);border-top:0 none;background-color:#fff;background-color:light-dark(#fff,#000)}.jkxTnA{font-family:'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}.eYVTbj{color:#ec1a2e;color:light-dark(#ec1a2e,#ec1a2e);font-size:14px;font-weight:bold}.eYVTbj::after{display:inline-block;margin:0 5px;color:#919191;color:light-dark(#919191,#e9e9e9);content:'|'}.ikSNBZ{color:#919191;color:light-dark(#919191,#e9e9e9);font-size:14px;font-weight:normal}.hPbIgd{margin:0 0 10px;color:#222;color:light-dark(#222,#fff);font-size:19px;font-weight:bold;line-height:26px}.article-climate .hPbIgd{color:#ec1a2e;color:light-dark(#ec1a2e,#ec1a2e)}.gYJqIo{display:flex;width:100%;padding:20px}@media(min-width:1000px){.lfyduH .taboola{display:none}}.lfyduH:has(#taboola-carousel-thumbnails){min-height:426px}.lfyduH:has(#taboola-mid-article-thumbnails-crime){min-height:405px}@media(min-width:1000px){.lfyduH:has(#taboola-carousel-thumbnails),.lfyduH:has(#taboola-mid-article-thumbnails-crime){min-height:0}}.eKHmcK{display:none}@media(min-width:1000px){.eKHmcK{display:block}}.iionWt{margin:20px 0}.iUtUOL .tp-container-inner,.iUtUOL .sc-1suqprf-0{position:relative;box-shadow:0 -22px 16px 22px rgba(255,255,255,0.95);box-shadow:0 -22px 16px 22px light-dark(rgba(255,255,255,0.95),rgba(0,0,0,0.95))}.iUtUOL.closed{display:none}.dcGiwu{width:32px}.dcGiwu,.dcGiwu:focus{color:#3b5998;color:light-dark(#3b5998,#627aac)}.dcGiwu:hover,.dcGiwu:active,.dcGiwu:focus-visible{color:#2f4779;color:light-dark(#2f4779,#9cabcb)}@media(min-width:768px){.dcGiwu.mobile-only{display:none}}.fOiFgH{width:32px}.fOiFgH,.fOiFgH:focus{color:#000;color:light-dark(#000,#4e4e4e)}.fOiFgH:hover,.fOiFgH:active,.fOiFgH:focus-visible{color:#4e4e4e;color:light-dark(#4e4e4e,#919191)}@media(min-width:768px){.fOiFgH.mobile-only{display:none}}.enjvCw{width:32px}.enjvCw,.enjvCw:focus{color:#25d366;color:light-dark(#25d366,#25d366)}.enjvCw:hover,.enjvCw:active,.enjvCw:focus-visible{color:#1da851;color:light-dark(#1da851,#66e093)}@media(min-width:768px){.enjvCw.mobile-only{display:none}}.jctBRm{width:32px}.jctBRm,.jctBRm:focus{color:#ec1a2e;color:light-dark(#ec1a2e,#ec1a2e)}.jctBRm:hover,.jctBRm:active,.jctBRm:focus-visible{color:#ac2a2c;color:light-dark(#ac2a2c,#f58992)}@media(min-width:768px){.jctBRm.mobile-only{display:none}}.dzqQwN{display:flex;gap:12px}.dFzDMM .sc-17yxc4y-0{display:none}.dFzDMM:hover .sc-17yxc4y-0,.dFzDMM.bookmark-button-saved .sc-17yxc4y-0{display:block}.dFzDMM:hover .sc-17yxc4y-1,.dFzDMM.bookmark-button-saved .sc-17yxc4y-1{display:none}.dFzDMM.bookmark-button-saved .sc-17yxc4y-0{display:block}.dFzDMM.bookmark-button-saved .sc-17yxc4y-1{display:none}.dFzDMM.bookmark-button-saved:hover .sc-17yxc4y-0{display:none}.dFzDMM.bookmark-button-saved:hover .sc-17yxc4y-1{display:block}.lfNyeg{display:inline-block;width:32px;height:32px;color:#337e81;color:light-dark(#337e81,#70a5a7)}.sQzGY{display:flex;flex-direction:row;justify-content:center;gap:12px}.cNueyK{display:flex;position:relative;justify-content:center}@media(min-width:768px){.cNueyK{justify-content:flex-end;padding-top:12px;margin:0}}.dUmHef{display:flex}.sticky .dUmHef{flex-direction:column}.igSthU{overflow:hidden;height:23px;margin-bottom:8px;border-bottom:0;clear:both}@media(min-width:768px){.igSthU{height:25px}}.fvIzys{display:inline-block;flex-shrink:0;margin:0 12px 0 0;font:bold 14px/normal 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}.fvIzys::after{content:':'}.knjHva{display:inline-block;margin-right:12px;margin-bottom:4px;color:#222;color:light-dark(#222,#fff);font:normal 14px/1.29 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif;text-decoration:underline}.knjHva::first-letter {text-transform:capitalize}@media(min-width:1000px){.subscribed .gryCYY{margin-top:-184px}.article-feature:not(.article-feature-video) .subscribed .gryCYY{margin-top:-407px}}.gryCYY>p{margin:16px 0}.article-premium .gryCYY>p{line-height:27px}.gryCYY>h2{font-size:21px}.article-climate .gryCYY>h2{color:#ec1a2e;color:light-dark(#ec1a2e,#ec1a2e)}.article-sgi .gryCYY>h2{color:#ec1a2e;color:light-dark(#ec1a2e,#ec1a2e)}.gryCYY>p:first-child{margin-top:0}.gryCYY span:first-child~p:first-of-type{margin-top:0}.FtcnY{display:flex;position:relative;max-width:100%;min-height:600px;justify-content:center;margin:0 auto;background-color:transparent;clear:both}@media(min-width:1000px){.FtcnY{min-height:450px}}.teads .FtcnY{display:block}.FtcnY [data-mpu]{position:sticky;top:16px}.jKIGjX{display:inline-block;flex-shrink:0;border-radius:50%;background:#ec1a2e;background:light-dark(#ec1a2e,#ec1a2e);color:#fff;color:light-dark(#fff,#fff)}.dFpFuY{overflow:hidden;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;margin-bottom:16px}@media(min-width:768px){.dFpFuY{max-width:634px}}@media(min-width:1250px){.dFpFuY{max-width:622px}}.dmMyEN{width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;padding:8px 12px 12px;border-top:8px solid #ec1a2e;border-top:8px solid light-dark(#ec1a2e,#ec1a2e);background-color:#fde8ea;background-color:light-dark(#fde8ea,#66000a)}@media(min-width:768px){.dmMyEN{padding-top:4px;padding-bottom:12px}}.fXvmgM{font:bold 22px/26px 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif;margin:0 0 12px;text-align:center}@media(min-width:768px){.fXvmgM{font:bold 30px/34px 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif;letter-spacing:-0.048px;margin-bottom:12px;text-align:left}}.ivTlwT{display:block;margin-bottom:12px}@media(min-width:768px){.ivTlwT{display:none}}.hfMbpT{display:flex;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:4px;background-color:#fde8ea;background-color:light-dark(#fde8ea,#66000a);color:#ec1a2e;color:light-dark(#ec1a2e,#ec1a2e)}@media(min-width:768px){.hfMbpT{width:auto;justify-content:flex-start}}.dAuNha{display:block;font:bold 14px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif;text-decoration-line:underline;margin-block:0;text-align:center}.jiDyot{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:4px}.jiDyot:hover .sc-hez36s-5,.jiDyot:hover .sc-a5wy94-0{color:#ac2a2c;color:light-dark(#ac2a2c,#f58992)}.laZbyn{font:normal 16px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}.juUDRT{display:flex;width:100%;flex-direction:column}@media(min-width:768px){.juUDRT{display:flow-root;gap:24px;transition:margin-bottom .3s ease-in-out}}.kRWakq{display:flex;width:100%;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:center}@media(min-width:768px){.kRWakq{position:relative;z-index:1;width:212px;flex-shrink:0;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:24px;float:right}}.eJjJXF{display:none;flex-direction:row;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:8px;margin-top:8px}@media(min-width:768px){.eJjJXF{display:flex;margin-top:12px}}.dLfZIO{display:flex;width:100%;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:8px;margin-top:8px;margin-bottom:12px}@media(min-width:768px){.dLfZIO{display:none}}@media(min-width:768px){.cqPbFA{order:-1}}.jZSKtc .sc-aja53j-5::after{--fade-from:rgba(253,232,234,0);--fade-mid:rgba(253,232,234,0.5);--fade-to:#fde8ea}@media(min-width:360px){.jZSKtc .sc-aja53j-5 .sc-aja53j-7{display:none}}@supports(color:light-dark(red,red)){.jZSKtc .sc-aja53j-5::after{--fade-from:light-dark(rgba(253,232,234,0),rgba(102,0,10,0))}}@supports(color:light-dark(red,red)){.jZSKtc .sc-aja53j-5::after{--fade-mid:light-dark(rgba(253,232,234,0.5),rgba(102,0,10,0.5))}}@supports(color:light-dark(red,red)){.jZSKtc .sc-aja53j-5::after{--fade-to:light-dark(#fde8ea,#66000a)}}.cKWiEj{margin:0 0 24px;font:normal 16px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}.huxBsk{font:bold 16px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}.jasvOK{min-height:600px}@media(min-width:1000px){.jasvOK{min-height:450px}}.jasvOK.mobile-only{display:block}@media(min-width:1000px){.jasvOK.mobile-only{display:none}}.jasvOK.desktop-only{display:none}@media(min-width:1000px){.jasvOK.desktop-only{display:block;margin-bottom:16px}}.jasvOK.desktop-only+p{margin-top:0}.jasvOK .third-party-ad{position:sticky;top:16px}.bYBoJE{width:100%;flex-grow:1}.bYBoJE .social-share{width:100%;padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:20px}@media(min-width:768px){.bYBoJE .social-share{justify-content:flex-start}}.bYBoJE .social-share.sticky{display:none}@media(min-width:1000px){.bYBoJE .social-share.sticky{display:flex;position:sticky;top:14px;width:34px;flex-direction:column;padding-top:0;margin-top:0;margin-left:-25%}.bYBoJE .social-share.sticky .sc-mgcah7-0{margin:0 0 16px}.article-feature-video .bYBoJE .social-share.sticky{margin-top:0}.article-feature:not(.article-feature-video) .bYBoJE .social-share.sticky{margin-top:35%}}.bYBoJE.sponsored-article img,.bYBoJE.sponsored-article video{width:100%;max-width:602px;height:auto}.bYBoJE.sponsored-article iframe{max-width:602px;max-height:400px}.bYBoJE .under-article-prompt-donations{padding-bottom:8px;margin-top:-3px}.bYBoJE .big-letter{--color:#222;display:flex;position:relative;width:0;height:0;align-items:center;justify-content:center;padding:40px;margin-top:22px;margin-right:12px;border:1px solid var(--color);float:left;font:normal 52px/1 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif;text-transform:uppercase}.bYBoJE .big-letter:first-child{margin-top:6px}.bYBoJE .big-letter::before{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;box-sizing:border-box;border:1px solid var(--color);border-radius:50%;content:''}.bYBoJE #taboola-below-article-1{min-height:2350px}@media(min-width:768px){.bYBoJE #taboola-below-article-1{min-height:3370px}}.bYBoJE #taboola-below-article-1-split-num-1{min-height:130px}@media(min-width:768px){.bYBoJE #taboola-below-article-1-split-num-1{min-height:415px}}.bYBoJE .sc-fwko30-0+.sc-1xtsh2b-0{margin-top:-16px}@media(min-width:768px){.bYBoJE{max-width:636px;margin:0}}@media(min-width:1000px){.bYBoJE{max-width:624px;margin:0}.bYBoJE.subscribed{max-width:636px}}@media(max-width:999px){.bYBoJE{padding-right:0}.bYBoJE .under-article-prompt-donations{margin-top:-18px}}.bYBoJE .anchor-nav-header{scroll-margin-top:79px}.bYBoJE .anchor-nav-header a{color:#222;color:light-dark(#222,#fff)}.bYBoJE .anchor-nav-header a:hover{color:#222;color:light-dark(#222,#fff)}@supports(color:light-dark(red,red)){.bYBoJE .big-letter{--color:light-dark(#222,#fff)}}.jYgehE{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;margin-bottom:8px;color:#646464;color:light-dark(#646464,#bdbdbd);font:normal 16px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}@media(min-width:768px){.jYgehE{width:70%;align-items:center;justify-content:flex-start;margin-bottom:0;font:normal 16px/24px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}}@media(min-width:1000px){.jYgehE{width:70%;margin-bottom:0}}.dMNxBE{display:flex;height:20px;margin:0 12px 8px 0}.article-voices .dMNxBE{height:auto}@media(min-width:425px){.article-voices .dMNxBE{height:20px}}.dMNxBE::before{display:inline-block;align-self:center;margin-top:1px;margin-right:12px;content:'\2022';transform:scale(1.5)}.dMNxBE:first-child::before{content:none}@media(min-width:768px){.dMNxBE{height:24px;margin-bottom:0}.dMNxBE::before{margin-top:2px}}.dMNxBE time{display:block}.dMNxBE time::first-letter {text-transform:capitalize}.fqqqQy{display:inline-block;margin:0 12px 8px 0;color:#ec1a2e;color:light-dark(#ec1a2e,#ef4757);font:bold 16px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif;letter-spacing:-0.5px}.fqqqQy:hover,.fqqqQy:active{color:#ac2a2c;color:light-dark(#ac2a2c,#f58992)}@media(min-width:768px){.fqqqQy{margin-bottom:0}}.oMeFT{margin:0 4px 8px 0}.oMeFT::before{display:inline-block;margin-top:2px;margin-right:12px;color:#646464;color:light-dark(#646464,#bdbdbd);content:'\2022';transform:scale(1.5)}.oMeFT:first-child::before{display:none}@media(min-width:768px){.oMeFT{margin-bottom:0}}.bMRmfY{display:flex;justify-content:flex-start;padding:0;margin:0 0 16px}@media(min-width:768px){.bMRmfY{display:flex;width:30%;align-items:center;justify-content:flex-end;margin:0}}@media(min-width:1000px){.bMRmfY{width:30%}}.dfBarH{padding-top:0;border-top:0;border-bottom:0}@media(min-width:768px){.dfBarH{display:flex;flex-flow:row wrap;padding-bottom:16px}.dfBarH .sc-mzrbq8-0{order:1}.dfBarH .sc-mzrbq8-6{order:2}}@media(min-width:1000px){.dfBarH{flex-direction:row}}.klGymp{padding:16px 12px 12px;text-align:left;font:bold 14px/18px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}@media(min-width:768px){.klGymp{padding:16px 16px 12px}}.article-infact .klGymp{padding:16px 0}@media(min-width:1000px){.klGymp{padding:24px 0 19px}.article-feature .klGymp{max-width:968px;margin:0 auto}}.klGymp a{color:#222;color:light-dark(#222,#fff)}.klGymp a:hover{color:#ac2a2c;color:light-dark(#ac2a2c,#f58992)}.klGymp a:hover::after{color:#222;color:light-dark(#222,#fff)}.klGymp a::after{margin-right:4px;margin-left:4px;content:'>'}.klGymp a:last-child::after{display:none}.gbPKFW{margin:0 0 20px;letter-spacing:0}.drRZfZ{margin:0;color:#646464;color:light-dark(#646464,#bdbdbd);font:normal 16px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}@media(min-width:768px){.drRZfZ{font:normal 18px/22px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}}@media(min-width:1000px){.drRZfZ{font:normal 20px/24px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}}.drRZfZ p{font:inherit}.article-feature .drRZfZ a{font-weight:bold}.hYTnrH{max-width:968px;margin:0 auto;background:#fff;background:light-dark(#fff,#000)}@media(min-width:1000px){.parallax .hYTnrH{max-width:1240px}}.fdtMsm{font:bold 32px/36px 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif;letter-spacing:-0.0156em}@media(min-width:768px){.fdtMsm{font:bold 44px/48px 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif;letter-spacing:-0.0113em}}@media(min-width:1000px){.fdtMsm{font:bold 54px/58px 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif;letter-spacing:-0.0092em}}.dechlY .sc-qvufca-0{margin:0 12px}@media(min-width:768px){.dechlY .sc-qvufca-0{max-width:968px;margin-right:16px;margin-left:16px}}@media(min-width:1000px){.dechlY .sc-qvufca-0{margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto}}.dechlY .sc-qvufca-2{margin-bottom:16px;color:#222;color:light-dark(#222,#fff)}@media(min-width:768px){.dechlY .sc-qvufca-2{margin-bottom:18px}}@media(min-width:1000px){.dechlY .sc-qvufca-2{margin-top:0}}.article-feature .dechlY .sc-qvufca-2{text-align:center}@media(min-width:1000px){.article-feature .dechlY .sc-qvufca-2{max-width:968px}}.dechlY .sc-1cmj4ml-0{margin-bottom:16px}@media(min-width:1000px){.dechlY .sc-1cmj4ml-0{max-width:968px}}.dechlY .sc-1cmj4ml-0 p{margin-top:0}@media(min-width:768px){.dechlY .sc-1cmj4ml-0 p{margin-bottom:16px}}@media(min-width:2560px){.dechlY .sc-1cmj4ml-0 p{margin-bottom:12px}}.cHeZco{padding-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-bottom:1px solid light-dark(#d3d3d3,#919191);background:#fff;background:light-dark(#fff,#000)}.iaTLca{display:flex;max-width:968px;align-items:center;padding:0 12px;margin:0 auto}@media(min-width:768px){.iaTLca{padding:0 16px}}.ctwzKH{padding:20px 0 18px;margin:20px auto 0;font-family:'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;text-transform:lowercase}@media(min-width:1000px){.ctwzKH{max-width:968px}}.ZmVfB{background:#fffd38;background:light-dark(#fffd38,#fffd38)}.jFsvUY{display:flex;align-items:center;font-size:20px;font-weight:bold;text-transform:uppercase}.jFsvUY::before{width:20px;height:15px;margin-top:-3px;margin-right:8px;background:url(/img/icons/icon-live-blog.png) no-repeat 50%;background-size:contain;content:' '}.ioviXN{margin:0 8px}@media(min-width:1000px){.kFNaRc .sc-qvufca-1{padding:0 16px}}.fzuCgM{overflow:hidden;height:0;color:transparent}.fmcHss{max-width:100%;margin:0 0 20px}.fmcHss.sticky{position:sticky;top:16px}.hlxBlR{min-height:600px}.hlxBlR #mpu1,.hlxBlR #sidebar1{position:sticky;top:16px}.MxpAk{min-height:250px}.geUkoM{position:relative;top:1px;color:#222;color:light-dark(#222,#fff);text-decoration:none}.foWGns{display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;padding:12px 0 12px;margin:0;font:bold 24px/28px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif;letter-spacing:-0.0208em}@media(min-width:768px){.foWGns{font:bold 28px/32px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif;letter-spacing:-0.0178em}}@media(min-width:1000px){.foWGns{padding:12px 0 12px}}.foWGns .sc-1qoqv7v-1{position:relative;top:1px;color:#222;color:light-dark(#222,#fff);text-decoration:none}.heAsFJ{--size:28px;width:var(--size);height:var(--size);flex-shrink:0}@media(min-width:768px){.heAsFJ{--size:32px}}.heAsFJ svg{width:100%;height:100%}.bkpWNY{max-width:100%;margin-bottom:16px}.fBeQQZ{padding:12px 0;margin:0}.fBeQQZ span{position:absolute;overflow:hidden;width:.01em;height:.01em;padding:0;border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);white-space:nowrap}.gDgfia{--gap:12px;display:flex;overflow:hidden;min-height:390px;flex-direction:column;gap:var(--gap);padding:0;margin:0;list-style:none}.gDgfia li{padding:0 0 var(--gap);margin:0;border-bottom:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-bottom:1px solid light-dark(#d3d3d3,#919191)}.cNiGkK{max-width:123px;max-height:33px}.lalKQb .sc-154e2ak-2{min-height:368px}.lalKQb li:has(.sc-10i6w7u-0){padding:0;border:0}.fgtiQY{min-height:1924px}@media(max-width:767px){.fgtiQY{display:none}}.eqQkhO{width:308px;min-height:100%;margin-left:auto}.eqQkhO.hidden{display:none}@media(max-width:999px){.eqQkhO{display:none}}.article-liveblog .dzfINj{background-color:#f7f7f7;background-color:light-dark(#f7f7f7,#222)}.jBkNwU{justify-content:center}.cumEve{justify-content:center}@keyframes hqVOOe1548920386{from{transform:translateX(0)}to{transform:translateX(-100%)}}@keyframes bReFEb1548920386{from{transform:translateX(100%)}to{transform:translateX(0)}}
Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.
Not now Yes please
News UK Home News Interest rates – live: Bank of England hikes base rate in fresh blow to mortgage holders Officials raise base rate for ninth consecutive time
Bank of England governor says the UK's reputation was damaged by Truss's mini-Budget Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference. Read more The Bank of England has raised interest rates by 0.5 per cent taking the base rate to 3.5 per cent in a bid to tackle soaring inflation .
The latest hike represents a slight cooling in rate increases, after the Bank’s MPC opted for a 0.75 percentage point rise last month – the highest single increase since 1989.
It was the ninth time in a row that officials raised rates as they try to tackle inflation, currently running at 10.7 per cent - down slightly from 11.1 in October but still at historically high levels.
Higher interest rates will bring fresh pain for mortgage holders on deals linked to the Bank’s base rate, while those with fixed rates set to expire soon will have to refinance at higher rates.
Key Points Chancellor: ‘I know its tough for people' Fresh pain for mortgage holders on tracker deals Bank of England hikes interest rates by 0.5% Mortgage expert - rate hike not all bad news Today’s base rate hike is not all bad news, according to a mortgage expert, who says that prices are coming down for people not on tracker deals.
Thomas Jackson, managing director for Tauton-based firm Cooper Associates Mortgages, said several lenders have already announced rate reductions ahead of the Bank hike.
He said: “Differently to the previous interest rate increases, today’s announcement comes with more positive news for homeowners.
“Since late October, mortgage rates have only continued to reduce, even with a base rate rise taking place in November and predictions of another increase today. Ahead of today’s announcement, several lenders have already announced rate reductions of up to approximately 0.4 per cent.”
“For those homeowners who are approaching renewal of their mortgage in the next six months, it’s still crucial to begin the application for re-mortgaging as soon as possible.”
He added: “People can submit their mortgage application six months in advance of their remortgage date; however, having the conversation about re-mortgaging with a financial adviser can happen eight-nine months before a re-mortgage is due.
“By organising re-mortgage options as early as possible, homeowners are able to prepare and plan for the inevitable increase to their mortgage cost (if keeping repayment strategy the same) or restructure their borrowing to assist with affordability and budgeting.”
Matt Mathers 15 December 2022 12:41
Union - Bank was ‘wrong’ to hike interest rates The Bank of England made the “wrong choice” in hiking interest rates for the ninth consecutive time, a union has claimed.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: "The Bank of England’s leadership continues to make the wrong choices.
"First, they call on workers not to ask for pay rises. Now, they inflict yet more pain during this cost-of-living crisis while the profiteers, who are the real drivers of inflationary price rises, are let off the hook yet again.”
She added: "Millions are already struggling and by raising interest rates further the Bank of England is adding even more to that pain.
"For many this rise could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
"The Bank of England doesn’t have to do it and its leadership should be held responsible for the consequences."
Matt Mathers 15 December 2022 12:30
Labour: ‘More evidence’ government has ‘lost control’ of economy Labour has claimed that today’s base rate hike is “more evidence” that the government has “lost control of the economy.”
Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, said: “This is yet more evidence that the government have lost control of the economy, harming growth and leaving millions of working people paying a Tory mortgage penalty for years to come.
“Only Labour will stabilise our economy and get it growing.”
Matt Mathers 15 December 2022 12:25
Lib Dems: ‘More pain’ for struggling families The Bank’s rate hike means “more pain” for families already struggling with the cost of living crisis, the Liberal Democrats have said.
Sarah Olney, the party’s Treasury spokesperson, said: "This is the nightmare before Christmas for families already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
"This government’s complete and utter failure to control inflation and their disastrous mini-Budget have led to mortgage payments soaring at the worst possible time of year.”
She added: "With so many not coping with high energy bills, this latest rate rise is yet more pain."
She reiterated the party’s call for the government to bring in a temporary ban on home repossessions, a mortgage rescue fund to support those hardest hit, and a ban on no-fault evictions for renters.
Matt Mathers 15 December 2022 12:21
Chancellor: ‘I know this is tough for people’ Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has said he recognises that the Bank’s latest interest rate hike will be “tough for people”.
Mr Hunt said: "High inflation, exacerbated by Putin’s war in Ukraine, continues to plague countries across the world, eating into people’s pay cheques and driving up food and energy prices.
"I know this is tough for people right now, but it is vital that we stick to our plan, working in lockstep with the Bank of England as they take action to return inflation to target.
"The sooner we grip inflation the better. Any action which risks permanently embedding high prices into our economy will only prolong the pain for everyone, stunting any prospect of economic recovery."
Matt Mathers 15 December 2022 12:18
GDP to decline by 0.1% in final quarter - Bank The Bank of England has said it now expects UK GDP to decline by 0.1 per cent in the final quarter of 2022, which is 0.2 percentage points stronger than expected in last month’s report but would still show the UK entering a technical recession.
It added that household consumption has remained "weak" and it has seen the housing market "continue to soften".
Matt Mathers 15 December 2022 12:15
Market reaction: Pound ‘highly volatile' A City analyst has said the pound is “highly volatile” in the aftermath of the Bank’s latest interest rate hike,
Naeem Aslam, chief market analyst at AvaTrade, said: “Sterling is highly volatile after the Bank of England’s [announcement], which increased the interest rate as per the market expectations of 50 basis points.
“The fact that BOE members are not on the same page with respect to the bank’s monetary policy has created more confusion for traders.”
He added: “With rates moving higher, the cost of living crisis is going to cripple further, and it would have a further adverse influence on the UK economy.
“This is another reason that the Sterling moved lower on the back of the bank’s decision.”
Matt Mathers 15 December 2022 12:13
Bank hikes base rate to 3.5% Six members of the Bank of England’s nine-strong Monetary Policy Committee voted to raise its interest base rate from 3 per cent to 3.5 per cent
However, two members of the committee - Swati Dhingra and Silvana Tenreyro - voted in favour of holding rates at 3 per cent
Another member, Catherine Mann, called for a firmer 0.75 percentage point increase, at the meeting held on Wednesday.
Matt Mathers 15 December 2022 12:09
Graphs show inflation, interest rates and wage levels down the years Inflation back at levels not seen since 1980s (PA) Wages fail to keep pace with inflation (PA) Cost of every day items goes up (PA) Matt Mathers 15 December 2022 11:58
What are interest rates and how do they affect you? Not up to speed on interest rates on how they affect people’s finances?
Here is a quick guide written up following the Bank’s last interest rate hike in November:
Bank of England implements biggest hike in more than 30 years
Matt Mathers 15 December 2022 11:15
Thank you for registering Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments