UK service sector growth hits seven-year high as Covid restrictions ease

Vaccine rollout spurs fastest monthly rise for seven years with sharp increases in spending and jobs growth

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The unleashing of pent-up demand has given Britain's service sector its fastest monthly growth in more than seven years despite some signs of a flattening-out of activity in the past week, two separate snapshots of the economy have shown.

In its monthly health check, IHS Markit/CIPS reported sharp increases in consumer and business spending as lockdown restrictions were eased.