Sterling rose against most major rivals after positive data from the UK.
Sterling was pressured this week after the UK government, the Parliament rejected PM Theresa May's strategy for Brexit in a vote today.
The Parliament refused her plans to regather support for her plans amid negotiations with the EU.
Earlier UK data showed retail sales rose 0.1% in January compared to a 0.7% drop in December.
GBP/USD added 0.7% to 1.2894, with a session-high at 1.2894, and a low at 1.2785.