Growth in the dominant services sector slipped to a six-month low as the pace of economic recovery slowed in December, amid predictions it will ease off over the year to come.
The reading of 58.8 in the closely-watched Markit/CIPS purchasing managers’ index (PMI) was below expectations, but still well ahead of the 50 level that separates growth from contraction.
It was the second monthly fall in the index of the services sector which represents three-quarters of the economy and has led the UK out of recession.
The slowdown mirrors trends in manufacturing and construction, which also lost momentum last month compared to very strong performances in previous months.
It left the average PMI across all three sectors at a five-month low of 59.5.
