Beleaguered homeowners were dealt another blow today when new figures showed house prices have fallen by nearly four per cent during the past year, their fastest rate of decline since 1993.And there was further disappointment this afternoon with interest rates being pegged at five per cent as the Bank of England continued its fight to keep a lid on inflation.

Policymakers have little scope to reduce rates after the Consumer Prices Index hit three per cent amid fears that inflation could move higher in coming months.

Economists said there was no guarantee that interest rates will be cut at all this year.

The Bank’s vote against a cut came despite gathering gloom over the UK housing market and wider economy.

House price figures from the country’s biggest mortgage lender Halifax revealed today that values fell by a further 2.4 per cent in May, making the annual drop nearly four per cent.

The news will come as a blow to homeowners seeking relief from the rapidly rising cost of living.

David Kern, economic advisor to the British Chambers of Commerce, warned this week that lack of action by the Bank increased the risk of “a severe but needless economic downturn” later on.

But CBI chief economic advisor Ian McCafferty said: “The Bank had little option this month other than to leave interest rates on hold – oil and commodity prices are still of great concern and businesses are having to raise prices as profit margins get squeezed further.

“We have yet to reach the peak in inflationary pressure, but the rate of inflation is still expected to start to fall back markedly in 2009.”

Steve Radley, chief economist at manufacturers’ organisation EEF, said: “Given the current extent of inflationary pressures, the Bank faces an unenviable dilemma in balancing further signs of weakness with growing concerns over inflation.

“But unless it becomes clear that the economy is deteriorating sharply, the Bank is right to continue its cautious approach.”

By David Burrows