UK service providers indicated the fastest expansion of business activity for eight months in June, which continued the recovery in growth seen since March's snow-related disruption. The latest upturn in service sector output was supported by the strongest increase in new work since May 2017.

The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit/CIPS UK Services PMI Business Activity Index posted 55.1 in June, up from 54.0 in May, to remain above the 50.0 no-change mark for the twenty-third consecutive month. Moreover, the latest reading signalled the strongest rate of expansion since October 2017. Survey respondents commented on a general upturn in client demand, particularly for business and financial services. There were also reports that unusually favourable weather conditions had boosted consumer spending.