The Bank of England is holding British interest rates unchanged at 3.75%, two months after it raised rates for the first time in almost four years.
Economists said initial signs that consumer spending had been satisfactory, though not extraordinary, during the Christmas period were likely to have influenced the committee's decision.
Members are also likely to have been swayed by a surprise fall in December's inflation figure - down to 1.3% against a new Government target of 2%.
But with economic growth picking up, many analysts are tipping an increase to 4% as early as next month.
