Monthly services grew by 0.2% in February 2021 meaning it was 8.8% below its level in February 2020, the last month of "normal" trading conditions prior to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The growth in services in February 2021 was driven by a rise in 10 out of the 14 sectors in the Index of Services, the largest contributor to the growth being wholesale and retail trade; this was offset partially by a fall in human health and social work activities. Services output for the three months to February 2021 fell by 1.9% compared with the three months to November 2020; this was led by education, which fell by 13.8%. ... (full story)