UK services sector shrinks for first time in 17 months amid Trump tariff fears
by Phillip Inman from on (#6X3DG)
Smaller companies say costs of Rachel Reeves's tax rises led to them lay off more workers in April
A 17-month period of expansion in the UK's services sector came to an abrupt end in April as uncertainty created by Donald Trump's tariff war hit new orders and exports.
A poll of purchasing managers in services businesses showed that the US president's tariff campaign had sent a chill through the sector, which accounts for about three-quarters of the UK economy, hitting business confidence about the prospects for the years ahead.
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