1240 GMT - The Bank of England is likely to keep interest rates unchanged for a prolonged period provided energy markets remain contained, Charles Stanley Direct's Rob Morgan says in a note. "Rate cuts are impossible to justify so long as inflation risks loom large on the horizon, while quelling it with a rate rise would increase borrowing costs and make things even harder for large parts of the economy." Policymakers see encouraging signs inflationary pressures will moderate once the energy price shock passes. However, until policymakers are more confident that higher energy costs won't ignite wider price escalation or feed into wage demands, higher rates cannot be ruled out, he says. The BOE voted 6-3 to keep rates at 3.75% Thursday, with three policymakers favoring a rate hike.