by business editor Trevor Sturgess

The views of Kent and Medway business people will feed into the next Bank of England decision on interest rates.

Charlie Bean, the bank’s deputy governor and member of the rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee, has visited the county to assess the mood of bosses ahead of the next MPC meeting in October.

The base rate has stood at an historic low of 0.5 per cent for more than a year and some experts believe that because of rising inflation, it’s time to push up rates.

Mr Bean heard a range of opinions during lunch with a dozen senior business people on board HMS Gannet in Chatham Historie Dockyard. He also visited firms in Kings Hill, West Malling, and Northfleet.

Mr Bean said: “As always, I’ve learned a great deal from visiting local businesses here in the South East.

"Many of the stories I have heard chime with those of other companies throughout the UK, about the challenges they have faced during the recession and prospects for the recovery.

"But I have also learned much about the variety of experiences, across businesses and industries.”

He added: “These messages will be an extremely valuable input when I and my colleagues on the MPC sit down in a few weeks to discuss the economic situation and set interest rates.”

The next interest rate announcement is on Thursday October 7.