Mumbai, Oct. 3 -- At 50.8 in September, the seasonally adjusted S&P Global UK Services PMI Business Activity Index eased considerably from August's 16-month high (54.2). The headline index has posted above the neutral 50.0 threshold in each month since May, but the latest reading was the weakest over this period and indicated only a modest rise in activity.
UK service providers achieved a marginal expansion of business activity in September. However, the rate of growth eased sharply since August amid sluggish demand conditions. Weak sales pipelines and pressure on margins from sharply rising staff costs contributed to another marked decline in service sector employment. Lower staffing numbers have been recorded throughout the past 12 month...