Bank of England expected to keep key interest rate steady at 4.75% when it meets on Thursday
BoE wonders whether to cut rates as figures hold steady, defying expectations
Inflation was 4% in December, up from 3.9% the month before, the first increase in 10 months
Expectations of higher borrowing rates are having a knock-on effect across lending markets
No recession but output dropped in several sectors affected by strikes
Food prices jumped 19.2% in the 12 months through February, according to the Office for National Statistics
Britain dodged two consecutive shrinking quarters, GDP grew 0.4% in 2022
Deutsche Bank forecasts Bank of England’s 2% target reachable in 2024
The bank is projecting economic growth of 7.25% for the U.K. in 2021
The new currency would exist alongside cash and bank deposits