FW Desk News
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Friday, October 23, 2026
Britain's private sector achieved its strongest growth rate in eight months, while employment declines that lasted two years have reversed, according to S&P Global's purchasing managers' index.
The data arrives as policymakers prepare for next week's budget announcement. The PMI survey suggests the economy is weathering recent geopolitical energy pressures across manufacturing and services sectors.
The improvement in both output and employment metrics represents a significant shift after the two-year hiring downturn. The purchasing managers' index provides a leading indicator of economic activity ahead of official gross domestic product figures.
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