LONDON, March 18 (Reuters) - Bank of England policymaker Catherine Mann, the staunchest advocate for higher interest rates on the Monetary Policy Committee, has been re-appointed to serve a second three-year term, the finance ministry said on Monday.

The U.S. economist was one of two members of the MPC who voted against the majority last month to raise interest rates - which are currently at their highest since 2008 - to see off inflation risks.

She will now serve on the committee until Aug. 31, 2027, the finance ministry said in a statement.

Last week Mann said Britain has a long way to go for inflation pressures to be consistent with the BoE's 2% target, the latest in a long run of warnings from her about the risk of price pressures becoming embedded in the economy.

Her stance differs from the consensus among BoE rate-setters, who have put the high level of Bank Rate, currently 5.25%, "under review."

The BoE's next interest rate decision is due

this Thursday

. Analysts expect Mann will vote again for an interest rate hike in another 6-2-1 split, resulting in a fifth consecutive "hold" decision - although inflation data on Wednesday could cause a late rethink.

Mann is one of the MPC's most experienced economists, having previously served as chief global economist at both Citi and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (Reporting by Andy Bruce and Sachin Ravikumar; editing by William James)