Carney Consensus Facing Test as BOE Focuses on Slack: Economy

Mark Carney’s grip on the Monetary Policy Committee is about to be tested as officials discuss new forecasts, freed from their low interest-rate pledge.

Bank of England policy makers convene in London today for the “pre-MPC” gathering before next week’s monthly decision, the first since unemployment dropped enough to void the governor’s signature commitment on borrowing costs. Their May 7-8 meeting will also be the last before Carney’s management shakeup changes the constitution of the nine-member panel.