UK Gilt Yields Near Lows as Burnham Pledges Fiscal Discipline

2026-06-29 11:47 By Joana Ferreira 1 min. read

UK 10-year gilt yields hovered around 4.73%, staying close to two-month lows, as bond markets absorbed Andy Burnham’s speech.

Burnham, the sole candidate to succeed Keir Starmer, vowed to significantly devolve fiscal powers from Westminster to local authorities if elected, while maintaining fiscal discipline.

In his first major speech after winning a Commons seat, Burnham criticized the UK’s "stark imbalance" between national and local government resources, calling it a barrier to growth.

However, he refused to disclose potential ministerial appointments, stating he would announce them only after the Labour leadership contest concludes.

Investors are also evaluating the impact of an interim US-Iran peace deal and shifting interest rate expectations in both the UK and US.

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has lowered oil prices and inflation forecasts, reducing bets on Bank of England hikes, while the US Federal Reserve's hawkish stance supports US rate increase expectations.



News Stream
UK 10Y Bond Yield Hits 9-week High
UK 10 Year Government Bond Yield increased to 5.06%, the highest since May 2026. Over the past 4 weeks, United Kingdom 10Y Bond Yield gained 30.20 basis points, and in the last 12 months, it increased 40.74 basis points.
2026-07-22
UK Gilt Yield at One-Month High as Oil Surge Offsets Softer Inflation
The UK 10-year gilt yield rose to 5.05%, its highest level since May 19, as investors weighed rising oil prices against softer UK inflation. Brent crude climbed to a more than one-month high after President Donald Trump warned of further strikes on Iran and pledged retaliation if Iran-backed Houthi rebels disrupt Red Sea shipping. Meanwhile, UK annual inflation slowed to 2.6% in June, the lowest since March 2025 and below forecasts of 2.7%, driven by lower transport and food prices. However, core inflation (2.6%) and services inflation (3.6%) both came in slightly above expectations, underscoring persistent underlying price pressures. Businesses remain cautious, with CBI economist Martin Sartorius warning that inflation could accelerate again in the coming months. Chancellor John Healey welcomed the softer inflation reading but said further support is needed, as the government announced lower VAT on electricity bills and a £2 cap on single bus fares across England from January.
2026-07-22
UK Gilt Yield Holds Above 5% After Healey’s Surprise Chancellorship
The UK 10-year gilt yield remained just above 5%, unchanged from the prior session, following Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s unexpected appointment of John Healey, the former defense secretary, as chancellor. Healey’s surprise selection, though not a favored candidate, may hint at higher defense spending ahead. On policy, Burnham has so far pledged to cut taxes on energy bills, funded by ending the Digital ID program. Meanwhile, ONS data showed UK government borrowing at £16 billion in June, down a third from last year and below forecasts. In a separate report, wage growth eased to 4.3% in the three months to May, slightly under expectations, while unemployment stayed at 4.9%. Investors are also watching Middle East developments, with renewed hope for US-Iran diplomacy after recent escalations.
2026-07-21