UK private sector companies indicated a solid increase in output levels at the start of 2026, with the overall rate of expansion reaching its fastest for just under two years. This was led by a robust and accelerated upturn in service sector activity. January data also signalled a sustained improvement in new order intakes across the private sector economy, which contributed to the most upbeat level of business optimism for 16 months. However, strong input cost inflation persisted, which resulted in the greatest increase in average prices charged by private sector firms since August 2025. At 53.9 in January, up from ... (full story)