UK service sector rise boosts prospects for economic growth

Survey of services, construction and manufacturing indicate UK plc grew by 0.7% in first quarter

Britain's services sector moved up a gear in March, boosting George Osborne's hopes of strong economic growth ahead of next month's general election.

Rising order books and increased foreign investment pushed the Markit/Cips purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the service industries, which account for about 77% of the economy, to a seven-month high.