The UK service sector remained on a strong growth footing at the start of 2014, with activity and new business both continuing to rise markedly albeit at the slowest rates since mid-2013. Capacity came under renewed pressure, with backlogs rising at the sharpest rate since May 1997. Employment growth remained marked as a result, with recruitment in part bolstered by positive business expectations for activity. Confidence was at its highest since March 2010. The headline Business Activity Index recorded a level of 58.3 during January. That was down from 58.8 during December and the lowest reading for seven months. ... (full story)