The pound euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate gave up earlier gains and is now holding steady just below €1.16.

The pound has struggled for direction this week given the light economic calendar. The pound will look towards inflation expectations data ahead of the BoE rate announcement next week.

The euro is holding steady as investors look towards the ECB rate decision next week. A lack of data in the latter part of the week means that the common currency has also struggled for firm direction.

The ECB is expected to slow the pace of rate hikes to 50 basis points.