UK bank Lloyds has reported pre-tax profits of £7.5 billion (€8.8 billion) for 2023, soaring by more than 50% from the year before. The bank said on Thursday that changes in interest rates, which the Bank of England has been using to tackle persistent inflation in the UK, were one of the main reasons for the increase in its income. “The Group delivered a robust financial performance, meeting our 2023 guidance, driven by income growth, cost discipline and strong asset quality,” Charlie Nunn, the Lloyds Group’s chief executive, said in a statement. “This performance enabled strong capital genera…