The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee came no closer to increasing UK interest rates this month as concerns about the strength of the economy outweighed inflation risks.
Details of the last meeting on April 6-7 showed that the MPC maintained its 6-3 split in favour of keeping rates on hold this month. Members decided that the outlook for UK inflation had not changed enough to alter their view.
While they said that the path of near-term inflation was likely to be higher than the bank forecast in February, the extent of the recovery from the slowdown at the end of last year was still unclear.
Those who voted to hold rates steady said news on demand and activity over the month had probably been to the downside.
'An increase in bank rate in current circumstances could adversely affect consumer confidence, leading to an exaggerated impact on spending,' the minutes said.
The minutes dropped the line used in March, that some of those voting for unchanged rates had thought the case for a rate hike had increased.
The BoE has held interest rates at their record low of 0.5% for more than two years, in contrast to the European Central Bank, which raised borrowing costs earlier this month.
MPC members Andrew Sentance, Martin Weale and Spencer Dale continued to vote for higher borrowing costs last month. Sentance wanted a 0.5-point hike and the other two a 0.25-point increase.
