U.K. inflation has been at 2.7 percent since October, the Office for National Statistics reported Tuesday. This was the longest period for which consumer price growth has remained unchanged, it said.

The rate continues to hover above the central bank's 2 percent target.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices dropped 0.5 percent in January, offsetting December's 0.5 percent rise.

Retail price inflation accelerated to 3.3 percent, in line with forecast, from 3.1 percent a month ago. Similarly, excluding interest payments, retail prices were up 3.3 percent, following a 3 percent rise in December.

Core inflation that excludes energy, food, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, slowed marginally to 2.3 percent from 2.4 percent in December.