The unemployment rate may edge up from its historic low of 4 percent.

Inflation under Bush has remained near historic lows at about 2-3% per year.

Bank base rate is already at a historic low of 2pc and will fall to just 1pc by spring.

The Bundesbank cut its most important interest rate half a point, to a historic low of 2.5 percent.

The rate for blacks was 8.1 percent, close to the historic lows reached a couple of months ago.

It has not changed rates for 18 months in a row, keeping them at a historic low of 0.5%.

This is still above its historic low of 1.89 percent in early August.

At the same time, energy prices are near historic lows.

The turnout was on the historic low of about 54%.

Interest rates are thought likely to be left on hold at their historic low of 0.5%.