By Daniel Hunter
The UK service sector expanded at its quickest pace for over six-and-a-half years in July as new business continued to rise strongly amid evidence of an improvement in market conditions. The strong gain in new work placed pressure on capacity, leading to a marked increase in backlogs of work and encouraged solid payroll growth.
Service providers were also optimistic about future activity levels while, on the price front, output charges were raised to the greatest degree since June 2011.
The headline seasonally adjusted Business Activity Index climbed to its highest reading since December 2006 during July, posting 60.2, up from 56.9 in June. Above 50.0 readings have now been recorded for seven months in a row, with growth accelerating continuously throughout this period.
Supporting activity growth through 2013 has been continual gains in new business. July was no different, with sales rising at the strongest rate since November 2006. Underlying demand was reported to be stronger and market conditions improving both at home and abroad. Good weather and a pick-up in the housing market provided further boosts to activity and sales during the latest survey period.
Strong growth of new business led to capacity pressures during July, as highlighted by the sharpest rise in backlogs of work since February 2000. Backlogs have now risen for four months in a row, and continued increases in work outstanding encouraged a further rise in employment. July’s survey marked the seventh month in succession that payroll numbers have increased, with the latest data showing a solid rate of growth that was little moved on June’s near six-year peak.
Employment also increased as part of business expansion plans as confidence regarding future activity improved to its highest level for 15 months. Panellists are widely expecting the recent upturn in economic conditions to continue, with new product plans and geographical expansion also cited as reasons to be optimistic.
Meanwhile, input price inflation was little changed at a marked pace in July. Fuel remained a source of inflation, as did continued rises in the price of food products. There were a number of reports that wages paid to staff had been raised.
Service providers were able to pass on a proportion of their higher input costs to clients. Output charges increased for the second successive month and, though modest, the rate of inflation was the strongest recorded in over two years. Better demand and improved market conditions helped to support higher output charges.
“The services sector stormed to a six year high in July, registering levels of performance not seen since before the financial crisis. Combined with the manufacturing and construction figures, this is the clearest sign yet that the UK economy is experiencing a broad based economic recovery and has the momentum to deliver continued growth," David Noble, Chief Executive Officer at the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply, said.
"The seventh month of sustained, accelerated growth in services was underpinned by improved market conditions both domestically and abroad. Business confidence for UK services is now the highest it has been for 15 months, allowing businesses to expand, develop new products and increase their fees.
"The steep rise in new business and the sharpest rise in backlogs of work since 2010 have put some pressure on capacity, giving firms the conviction to take on more staff and increase wages, which have been stagnant for a long time. Taken together, these could signal a significant month in the turnaround of the fortunes of UK plc.”
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