...BUT FAMILIES HIT

The chance of a May base rate rise has improved, but only because householders are suffering. Inflation remained at the same last month - 3% - with the cost of living index unchanged, defying forecasts of a dip. It added to speculation that the Bank will hike is base rate from 0.5% to 0.75% to stop inflation rising even higher. A rate rise will be a boost to savers but a blow to borrowers.