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UK 30-year gilt yield hits highest since 1998 on political and inflation fears

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on May 15, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: May 15, 2026

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UK 30-Year Gilt Yield Surges to Highest Since 1998 on Political, Inflation Jitters

Record Gilt Yield Increases Amid Political and Inflation Concerns

Long-Term Gilt Yields Reach Historic Highs

LONDON, May 15 (Reuters) - British 20- and 30-year gilt yields rose to their highest since 1998 on Friday as British bonds extended a selloff driven by domestic political worries and global inflation concerns that also pushed 10-year yields to their highest since 2008.

Significance of 20- and 30-Year Gilt Yields

Britain no longer issues much debt at 20- and 30-year maturities but the bonds' yields are sometimes seen as a barometer of investor concerns about long-term borrowing and inflation concerns.

Latest Yield Movements and Data

Thirty-year gilt yields rose as high as 5.822% at 1042 GMT, up 17 basis points on the day, according to LSEG data, surpassing a previous high of 5.813% set on Tuesday, while 20-year yields reached 5.766%, up a similar amount.

Impact on 10-Year Gilt Yields

Ten-year yields - which are more reflective of the rate Britain is charged for new borrowing - peaked at 5.153% and were up 14 bps at 5.133% at 1054 GMT.

Reporting Credits

(Reporting by David MillikenEditing by William Schomberg)

Key Takeaways

  • 30‑year gilt yields spiked to around 5.82%, marking the highest since May 1998, driven by concerns over domestic political uncertainty and persistent inflation fears (including energy price shocks) (investing.com).
  • 10‑year gilt yields also rose sharply to about 5.13%, the highest level since 2008, reflecting rising costs for new government borrowing (investing.com).
  • Markets are pricing in nearly three interest rate hikes by the Bank of England this year amid geopolitical tensions (e.g., Iran conflict) and fiscal policy uncertainty tied to a potential shift in UK leadership (lse.co.uk)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did UK 30-year gilt yields reach their highest since 1998?
The surge was driven by domestic political worries and global inflation concerns, prompting a broader selloff in British government bonds.
What are gilt yields a barometer for?
Gilt yields, especially at 20- and 30-year maturities, are often seen as indicators of investor concerns about long-term borrowing costs and inflation expectations.
What was the peak yield for UK 30-year gilts on the day?
The 30-year gilt yield rose as high as 5.822% at 1042 GMT, surpassing its previous high set earlier that week.
How did 10-year gilt yields perform in comparison?
Ten-year gilt yields peaked at 5.153%, reaching their highest point since 2008 and reflecting rates for new UK government borrowing.
Does the UK still issue 20- and 30-year government bonds regularly?
The UK no longer issues much debt at 20- and 30-year maturities, but existing bond yields remain closely watched indicators.

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