ok been offered 2yr fixed at 2.99 above base rate, with a500 quid set up fee

who reckons interest rates will go up and by how much over the next couple of years

I@m looking at exactly the same thought process now.

IIRC first direct are offering 2.39 variable, which isn't too bad. I'm literally just about to go visit the bank manager and enquire in real-world rather than online though, so things may change!

yeah had similar quotes but when we got the offer through 2.99 was best we could get, lying bastards!

ps be interested to see what you get

Interest rates are 0.5%, inflation is 3.5%. As interest rates are normally above inflation there'll be an increase – well unless the BoE think we'll mess up the economy even more by increasing them; I believe they think inflation will come down by the end of the year though.

expert opinion….

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=484878&in_page_id=2