Service sector growth rate cooling
GROWTH in the dominant services sector slowed at its fastest rate for nearly four years in May, denting hopes for a sharp pick-up in Britain's economy in the second quarter.
Waitress serving drinks
The Markit/CIPS purchasing managers' index for industries spanning hotels and restaurants, transport, financial and business services and IT, fell from 59.5 in April to 56.5.
This was still well above the 50 level denoting expansion but the rates of total activity and new work were at their weakest so far this year.
The lacklustre picture will be a concern to policymakers and kills off any imminent hiking of interest rates
Cost pressures reached an eight-month high although firms continued to take on staff like waitresses (pictured).
Markit chief economist Chris Williamson said: "The lacklustre picture will be a concern to policymakers and kills off any imminent hiking of interest rates."