The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted 7-2 to keep rates on hold.

New inflation data has reinforced expectations that policymakers will not need to increase interest rates at the next announcement on Thursday.

The Bank of England is expected to hold interest rates at 3.75% on June 18 as UK inflation at 2.8% remains above its 2% target amid geopolitical

The base rate has remained at 3.75 per cent since just before Christmas last year