UK service providers indicated that business activity growth improved on its recent underwhelming trend in October. The latest expansion of service sector output was the fastest since April, supported by improved order books and resilient client demand.

At 55.6 in October, up from 53.6 in September, the headline seasonally adjusted IHS Markit/CIPS Services PMI Business Activity Index signalled a shift in momentum across the services economy. The latest reading was slightly stronger than the post-crisis trend and signalled the fastest pace of business activity growth for six months.