Services sector slump fans fears of UK economic slowdown

PMI/Markit survey shows business activity at lowest level since February 2013 as EU referendum and global slowdown fears take hold

A sharp slowdown in Britain's vast services sector, which covers everything from banking to hotels, has fanned fears that economic growth is stalling, hurt by a downturn in global trade and jitters ahead of June's knife-edge EU referendum.

A closely watched survey of businesses in the UK's biggest sector showed activity slumped in April to its slowest pace for more than three years. That followed polls earlier in the week showing the smaller construction and manufacturing sectors had also lost momentum last month.

Related: UK service sector growth slumps to three-year low - business live

#UK economy near stalling as #PMI signals slowest growth for over three years. Full analysis here: https://t.co/buU2JcV3Ax