The UK services sector has reported its fastest jump in activity for six months, as firms grow increasingly upbeat about the year ahead. Closely-watched survey the S&P Global/CIPS UK Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) found output and new work increased for second month running in December and at the strongest rate for half a year. The poll of 650 firms in the sector, including finance, insurance, communication and non-retail consumer companies, also found a seven-month high in optimism about the outlook for 2024. Some firms also reported better than expected consumer spending on leisure and hospitality services in the run…
