LONDON, Jan 30 (Reuters) - The pound was little changed

on Thursday as markets were focused on a raft of major central

bank meetings that will culminate with the Bank of England next

week.

Sterling stood at $1.2441, after holding broadly

steady the previous day as the U.S. Federal Reserve held

interest rates as expected and said it is in no hurry to cut

again.

The European Central Bank is widely expected to reduce rates

at 1315 GMT on Thursday, in a reflection of the slowing euro

zone economy and cooling inflationary pressures.

The euro was flat against the pound on Thursday

at 83.64 pence.

Britain's currency has recovered much of the ground it lost

in early January as investors sold British government bonds and

sterling.

The bond sell-off was largely driven by global factors,

particularly a strong U.S. economy. But analysts said the drop

in the pound at the same time mirrored concerns about low

growth, sticky inflation and high government debt levels in

Britain.

Data released two weeks ago relieved the pressure, however,

showing that services inflation fell to its lowest since March

2022.

Investors expect the Bank of England to cut interest rates

by 25 basis points next Thursday to 4.75%, when it will also

update its economic growth and inflation forecasts.

Financial markets on Thursday priced in almost three

quarter-point BoE rate cuts this year, compared with fewer than

two in early January.

Finance minister Rachel Reeves gave a speech on Wednesday

outlining plans to boost UK growth, including backing a

long-delayed new runway at London's Heathrow Airport.

"Potential investors in UK plc are still confronted by

headwinds that include high energy prices, high interest rates

and the forthcoming hikes in taxation and minimum wages," said

Jane Foley, head of FX strategy at Rabobank.

"Although a dovish statement from the BoE at the Feb. 6

policy meeting can be expected to keep the pound on the back

foot in the near term, it would also provide comfort for

investors and the business community."

Data on Thursday showed UK mortgage lending rose by the most

since September 2022 in December, although the pound displayed

little reaction.