The UK manufacturing sector ended 2016 on a positive note with rates of growth for production and new orders in December among the best seen over the past two-and-a-half years. The Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to a 30-month high of 56.1, up from 53.6 in November and well above its long-run average (51.5). …
Private sector growth picked up pace in the three months to December, according to the CBI’s latest Growth Indicator, the final one of 2016. The survey of 788 respondents across the manufacturing, distribution and service sectors showed that growth climbed to a balance of +17%, its highest in a year. Most sectors reported an uptick…
Having undertaken a year-long study into the legal services sector, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded that competition in legal services for both small businesses and individual consumers is not working well. In particular, there is not enough information available on price, quality and service to help choose the best option. The CMA…
Businesses across England and Wales reported another month of solid growth in November, with output levels and employment both rising at faster rates, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Regional Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) survey. The PMI for England rose to a ten-month high of 55.8 up from 54.9 in October. A reading greater than…