英語学習

英語ニュース教材：UK borrowing costs hit 27-year high adding to pressure on Reeves（Intermediate レベル）

 

Contents

🎧 Audio

📖 Script

The UK is currently facing a significant economic challenge as borrowing costs reach their highest level in 27 years. This development is primarily due to the increasing interest rates on 30-year government bonds. These bonds, also known as gilts, have reached their highest interest rates since 1998. This situation is causing concern among economists and policymakers as it indicates a lack of confidence in the UK’s economic future.

The rise in borrowing costs is linked to various factors, including global economic uncertainties and domestic issues such as inflation and government spending. As interest rates increase, it becomes more expensive for the government to borrow money. This can lead to higher taxes or reduced public services, impacting everyday citizens.

The current situation puts pressure on the UK’s economic leaders, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves. She faces the difficult task of managing the country’s finances while trying to stimulate economic growth and maintain public trust. Reeves must consider measures to address these high borrowing costs, which might include cutting spending or finding new revenue sources.

The implications of high borrowing costs are significant. They can affect everything from mortgage rates for homeowners to investments in infrastructure and public services. If borrowing remains expensive, it could slow down economic growth, making it harder for the UK to recover from any financial setbacks.

In summary, the rise in UK borrowing costs is a critical issue with potential long-term impacts on the economy. It highlights the challenges facing economic policymakers and the importance of finding balanced solutions to promote stability and growth.

📝 Vocabulary

  • bond: a financial instrument representing a loan made by an investor to a borrower（債券）
    例文: “Investors are concerned about the rising interest rates on government bonds.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • bond market
    • bond yield
    • bond investor
  • interest rate: the percentage charged on a loan or paid on savings（利率、金利）
    例文: “The central bank decided to increase the interest rate to combat inflation.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • high interest rate
    • interest rate hike
    • interest rate cut
  • inflation: the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises（インフレーション、物価上昇）
    例文: “Inflation has been steadily increasing over the past year.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • inflation rate
    • rising inflation
    • inflation control
  • confidence: trust or belief in someone or something（信頼、自信）
    例文: “Consumer confidence is crucial for economic recovery.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • boost confidence
    • confidence level
    • lack of confidence
  • revenue: income generated from normal business operations（収入、歳入）
    例文: “The government is exploring new ways to increase revenue.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • tax revenue
    • revenue growth
    • revenue stream

✏️ Grammar Point

Present Continuous Tense – “The UK is currently facing a significant economic challenge”

文法の日本語補足を見る
現在進行形は、現時点で行われている事柄を表す

💡 使用場面

日常会話やビジネスシーンで、現在進行中の出来事や状況を説明する際に使います。

📝 使用例文

“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘If we cut costs now, we can increase our profit margin next quarter.’”

❓ Listening Questions

  1. True/False: The interest rates on UK government bonds have reached their highest levels since 1998.
  2. MCQ: Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a factor affecting the rise in borrowing costs?
    a) Global economic uncertainties
    b) Inflation
    c) Government spending
    d) Technological advancements
  3. MCQ: Who is responsible for managing the UK’s finances in this situation?
    a) The Prime Minister
    b) The Chancellor of the Exchequer
    c) The Governor of the Bank of England
    d) The Minister of Trade
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
  1. True
  2. d) Technological advancements
  3. b) The Chancellor of the Exchequer

📚 Reading Questions

  1. What are UK 30-year bonds also known as?
  2. Why might high borrowing costs affect public services?
  3. What does the word “implications” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
  1. Gilts
  2. Because the government might need to reduce spending or increase taxes to manage high borrowing costs.
  3. Effects or consequences

🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説

英国の借入コストが27年ぶりの高水準に達し、経済に大きな影響を及ぼしています。これは、30年物国債の金利が1998年以来の高さに達したためです。この状況は、インフレーションや政府支出などの国内問題と、世界的な経済不確実性に関連しており、政府の借り入れコストを押し上げています。結果として、英国の財政政策責任者であるレイチェル・リーブズは、経済成長を促進しつつ、信頼を維持するための難しい舵取りを迫られています。今後、適切な財政管理と経済の安定化が求められます。

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy989njnq2wo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

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