LONDON, Nov 7 (Reuters) - The Bank of England cut interest rates on Thursday for only the second time since 2020 and said future reductions were likely to be gradual, seeing higher inflation and growth after the new government's first budget.

The central bank said future cuts would be gradual amid higher inflation forecasts after the new government introduced spending and tax increases in its budget.

Interest rates have been cut for the second time this year, by a quarter of a percentage poi, but mortgage rates are still set to rise in a blow to homeowners. The Bank of England reduced the base rate from 5 per cent to 4.75 per cent on Thursday, following a 0.25 percentage-point cut in August, which was the first drop in four years.