British inflation unexpectedly rose to 10.4% in February, pushed up by higher food and drink prices in pubs and restaurants, according to official data which is likely to prompt the Bank of England to raise interest rates on Thursday.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast that the annual consumer price inflation rate would drop to 9.9% in February from January’s 10.1% and move further away from October’s 41-year high of 11.1%.
The figures – including increases in underlying inflation measures that the BoE closely monitors – are likely to bolster the concerns of those BoE policymakers who worry that inflation will be slow to fall, even after 10 straight rate hikes.
Source : UK inflation shock increases pressure on BoE for another rate hike