The S&P Global UK Services PMI rose to 52.0 in April 2026 from 50.5 in March, exceeding market expectations of 50.0, according to flash estimates. Growth in business activity accelerated from March’s 11‑month low, with firms attributing the improvement to technology investments, marketing efforts, and the implementation of long-term business strategies.
However, new orders recorded a slight decline, highlighting continued fragility in demand amid rising global uncertainty and mounting inflationary pressures linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Employment levels also continued to fall.
Inflationary pressures intensified sharply, driven mainly by higher fuel costs. Input price inflation reached its highest level since the survey began nearly 30 years ago.
