The latest UK Flash PMI® data, compiled by S&P Global on behalf of CIPS, pointed to a further decline in UK private sector output during September. Though modest, the rate of contraction was the quickest seen since January 2021, with businesses often commenting on the negative impacts of high costs and a weaker economic outlook on client spending and output. Employment remained a bright spot, which continued to rise strongly overall in September, despite the rate of job creation being unchanged from August’s 17-month low. However, signs of spare capacity became increasingly apparent, with backlogs of work falling at a ... (full story)