UK services sector growth falls to 16-month low

Demand weakens for services such as restaurants and hotels amid ongoing Brexit uncertainty

The UK services sector grew at its slowest pace in January since the aftermath of the EU referendum as the economy got off to a sluggish start in 2018.

The latest health check of a sector that includes hotels, restaurants, transport and the City from IHS Markit and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) found that a loss of clients and lingering Brexit uncertainty had led to a dip in activity.