UK services growing at encouraging rate for economy

Growth in purchasing managers' index, a guide to health of service sector, has been a key engine of Britain's economic recovery, say analysts

Britain's key services sector continued to expand at a healthy pace in November, according to a closely watched survey.

The purchasing managers' index, compiled by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, rose for the second consecutive month, from 54.9 in October to 55.9 - the fastest growth since July, and well above the 50 mark that signals expansion in the sector.