By
Rising inflation may give the Bank of England less scope to ease monetary policy if prices remain sticky in the coming months.
Sterling rose to a two-week high of $1.5730 from around $1.5702 before the release.
It surpassed its 200-day moving average at $1.5721 where traders had earlier reported offers and further gains could see it target the 100-day moving average at 1.5759.
The euro fell to around 78.72 pence from 78.82 pence before the data.