Bank Rate Held at 3.75% — What the Energy Shock & Rising Mortgage Rates Mean for British Expats & Gulf Nationals

The Bank of England voted unanimously to hold Bank Rate at 3.75% on 19 March 2026 — a holding action against a major energy price shock triggered by the Middle East conflict. With domestic fixed rates already above 5% and 472 products pulled from the market, conditions for overseas borrowers are more complex than the headline suggests. Here is what you need to know.