"Inflation is probably going to be above target all of next year and there's a chance it may go above 3 percent. That's unfortunate for consumers, and it makes it harder for the Bank of England to deliver more stimulus," said Alan Clarke, an economist at Scotiabank Europe Plc in London.
The FTSE 100 Index edged higher 0.33 per cent to 5,786.25. The broader FTSE All-Share Index increased 0.26 per cent to 3,020.45.