BRITAIN'S services industry recorded growth last month for the first time since August as new business and confidence picked up.
The monthly report, by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS), showed expansion after four months of contraction.
Incoming new business continued to improve, while business optimism hit a seven-month high, CIPS said.
On its index, activity rose to 51.4, up from 49.4 in December. On the scale, a figure above 50 indicates growth while anything below shows contraction. CIPS said January's rise was prompted by a second consecutive monthly rise in levels of incoming new business
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