Asset Purchase Facility: Gilt Sales – Market Notice 17 September 2026

What happened: The Bank of England set out how it will unwind its Asset Purchase Facility gilt holdings. It will hold £222 billion of gilts maturing before 2035 to maturity and £120 billion of the longest-dated gilts to back banknote issuance. Key numbers: £146 billion of gilts maturing between 2035 and 2049 to be sold at £20 billion a year. Total portfolio £488.2 billion. Review before April 2027. Why it matters: The Bank is considering selling these gilts to the Government via the DMO at market prices. APF auctions will pause meanwhile, with operational details due by April 2027.

The Bank of England set out how it will unwind its Asset Purchase Facility gilt holdings. It will hold £222 billion of gilts maturing before 2035 to maturity and £120 billion of the longest-dated gilts to back banknote issuance.

The Bank is considering selling these gilts to the Government via the DMO at market prices. APF auctions will pause meanwhile, with operational details due by April 2027.