The Bank of England should move only gradually with cutting interest rates, Chief Economist Huw Pill said on Friday, a day after Governor Andrew Bailey was quoted as saying the BoE might move more aggressively to lower borrowing costs.

The pound fell sharply Thursday after Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey said the central bank could be more aggressive in cutting borrowing costs if inflation remained benign.

The value of the pound dropped sharply after the Governor of the Bank of England said interest rate cuts could become a “bit more aggressive”. Sterling sank as much as 0.8pc to fall below $1.32 for the first time in a fortnight after Andrew Bailey said policymakers could become “a bit more activist” about lowering borrowing costs.