UK service sector growth weakened in April, according to the latest PMI® survey data from Markit and CIPS. The rate of expansion slowed for the third time in the past five months, to the weakest since February 2013. Although new business growth picked up slightly, it remained relatively subdued and business optimism was the joint-weakest in over three years. Firms commented on prevailing economic uncertainty, partly linked to the forthcoming referendum on EU membership. The latest survey data also signalled the strongest upward pressure on input prices since January 2014, linked to the introduction of the national ... (full story)