November data pointed to a setback for the UK service sector, with business activity growth easing from the six-month peak seen in October. Volumes of new work also increased at a slower pace, while the rate of staff hiring was the joint-slowest since March. Service providers’ optimism regarding the year ahead outlook for business activity picked up slightly in November, but remained weaker than the trend seen through the first half of 2017. Relatively subdued confidence was linked to heightened economic uncertainty and ongoing pressure on margins from sharply rising input costs. The seasonally adjusted IHS ... (full story)