question 1 ) has lowering to 0.5% had the effect they wanted?

if it has, by enough, thay will go up soon

if it is, but not by enough yet they will go up later

if it hasnt, they can either hold it where it is, or ramp it back up and try the alternative approach. I reckon its probably too late for this, so a sudden rise shouldnt be a big risk.

as to how soon it will go up, Ive heard they reckon the effect is up to two years after the cause, altho I think this applies less so in todays unstable financial arena but certainly they used to make changes looking that far ahead.

I cant ever see it reaching 0% in this country