The Bank of England will wait until early next year before raising interest rates again, probably February, according to economists polled by Reuters, who said upcoming data may persuade the bank to build on last week's increase sooner. British economic growth has consistently beaten expectations recently, but inflation is well above the central bank's 2.0% target and is expected to rise above 4% next year. Global energy costs have soared, in large part due to war in the Middle East. British fuel bills are likely to rise around 20% in January, when the regulator next adjusts retail prices to wholesale costs, just as the colder winter months kick in. Whether or not the BoE opts for a December rate rise, which interest rate futures are almost completely pricing in - in contrast to the economists' view - will depend in large part on how energy prices trade in coming weeks.