February 15, 2006	Wednesday	Muharram 16, 1427

LONDON, Feb 14: British 12-month inflation remained at 1.9 per cent in January, official figures showed Tuesday, despite rising fuel costs. December’s figure was revised down from an initial reading of 2.0 per cent, said Britain’s Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Analysts said Tuesday’s data could ease concerns among the Bank of England’s rate-setters over rising inflation, which inturn could lead to them raising British borrowing costs.

With consumer price inflation below the 2.0-per cent target level in both December and January... a near-term interest rate cut suddenly looks a very real possibility again, said Global Insight economist Howard Archer.—AFP