Business activity across the UK private sector expanded for the fourth consecutive month and at the fastest pace since May 2023, supported by another strong upturn in the service economy. February data highlighted a solid improvement in customer demand, as signalled by the sharpest rise in new work for nine months. Hopes of a sustained rebound in domestic economic conditions led to the highest level of optimism regarding the year ahead business outlook since February 2022. Inflationary pressures remained elevated during the latest survey period. Moreover, the rate of input price inflation edged up to its strongest ... (full story)