In the three months to July 2018, services output increased 0.6% compared with the three months ending April 2018; this is the largest growth since the three months to January 2017.

The wholesale, retail and motor trade sector made the largest contribution to the three-month on three-month growth for the third consecutive month, contributing 0.23 percentage points.

The Index of Services increased by 0.3% between June 2018 and July 2018.

Growth in the professional, scientific and technical activities sector was the main reason behind the monthly growth, with the sector contributing 0.15 percentage points.

In the three months to July 2018, services output increased by 1.5% compared with the three months ending July 2017.