Inflation in the U.K. stayed unchanged at the level of 2.7% for the third successive month in December, above the 2% inflation target of the Bank of England from 2009, suggesting the BoE not to start another round of stimulus program. The biggest impact on the inflation had prices of utilities rising 3.9% on the year, whereas fuel costs declined 0.2%.
"It's a relatively good number. If you look at the core (inflation) as well that's down to 2.4 percent," said Deutsche Bank economist George Buckley.
"It's still too high. It needs to come down further obviously," he added, "But for the moment it's remained sticky."