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UK inflation accelerated to 2.6 percent in November, in line with analysts' forecasts, capping expectations that the Bank of England will keep rates steady at its meeting on Thursday.
Year-on-year growth in the consumer price index was above the 2.3 percent recorded in October, as motor fuel and clothing costs helped lift the annual rate.
The Office for National Statistics data comes as the BoE's monetary policy committee meets this week to set rates amid signs of a stagnant economy.
GDP has contracted for two consecutive months, while business surveys point to weak confidence and low hiring intentions. But a pick-up in the UK salary increase helped end expectations of an interest rate cut this week.
The services inflation rate, closely watched by the central bank as a measure of underlying domestic price pressures, was 5 percent in November, matching October's figure but below analysts' expectations of 5.1 percent.
BoE policymakers have highlighted the persistence of services inflation as a reason to be cautious before cutting interest rates again after cutting the key rate to 4.75 percent in two quarter-point moves this year.
Governor Andrew Bailey said boi Will continue to gradually ease the policy. Clare Lombardelli, the deputy governor, told the Financial Times in November that she was concerned that services price inflation remained rates "well above" the BoE's 2 per cent target.
November's services price reading was slightly ahead of the BoE's own 4.9 percent forecast.
"This inflation pick up ends any lingering hope of an interest rate cut on Thursday, while concerns about rising risks to inflation, including a recent surge in wage growth, mean a slowdown in February. Karna is not a done deal," said Suren Thiru, director of economics. Institute of Accountants ICAEW.
"I know families are still struggling with the cost of living and today's figures are a reminder that for a very long time the economy has not worked for working people," said Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
After the data was released, sterling fell 0.1 percent to $1.269.