BOE leaves monetary policy intact

LONDON, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- The Bank of England said Thursday it would maintain its monetary policies at current levels, including its 0.5 percent overnight lending rate.

While Britain's economy shows signs of recovery, the central bank's decision makers elected to keep the key lending rate where it has been since March 2009. The BOE said it would also keep its $613 billion asset purchasing program intact.

The BOE does not explain its policy decisions until meeting minutes are released two weeks after the meeting.