Bank of Japan Votes 8-1 to Maintain Easing

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) board voted 8 to 1 to continue expanding its monetary base by 80 trillion yen annually, following Japan's recent recession. Meanwhile, a Bloomberg poll indicates the Bank of England is unlikely to raise its key benchmark rate until after the UK general election, with 92% of economists surveyed expecting rates to remain at a record low until after May 7th. In UK politics, the UK Independence Party (UKIP) is poised to gain its second member of Parliament as candidate Mark Reckless, who defected from the Conservative Party, leads in opinion polls ahead of a byelection.

What decision did the Central Bank's board make regarding the monetary base?

How does the recent decision compare to the previous month's decision?

What percentage of economists believe the Bank of England will not raise its key benchmark rate before the UK general election?

What significant event is happening in the UK related to the UK Independence Party?

Who is the UKIP candidate mentioned in the text, and what was his political background?