LONDON, Oct. 13 -- British economioc growth in services sector continues to remain muted by the prospect of Brexit, figures released on Friday showed.
The latest quarterly economic forecast by the industry representative body the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) found that the dominant services sector of the UK economy, accounting for about 77 percent of GDP, growth and sales remained flat during the third quarter of the year.
"The services sector remains under pressure, and with most indicators broadly static in the quarter, the sector has yet to recover from the loss of momentum suffered in the wake of the EU referendum," Suren Thiru, BCC head of economics, told Xinhua.
The services sector driven by consumer spending has been the main cause of UK economic growth over the past few years, but inflation has eaten into disposable income.
The BCC survey found that the proportion of manufacturing firms reporting improved domestic sales and orders both rose in the quarter to their highest levels since the first quarter of 2017.
Export sales and orders also improved, as stronger recent economic growth in key markets increased demand, notably the eurozone where official figures show GDP growth at 0.6 percent against the current UK rate of 0.3 percent.
Almost all services indicators remain below their pre-EU referendum levels, with consumer-focused businesses reporting weaker growth rates compared to business-to-business firms.
The survey also showed that with UK unemployment at 4.3 percent, a low not seen for just over 40 years, and employment at a record high businesses were having difficulty recruiting staff.
Almost three-quarters of manufacturers reported difficulties hiring, and in services, the percentage rose to its highest level since the start of 2016, and stands at three times the long-term average.
国内英语资讯:Chinese premier stresses reform of government functions
体坛英语资讯:Feature: A Kazakh herdsman chases his cycling dream
国内英语资讯:China, OPCW pledge further cooperation
马德里公交车禁止男性岔开双腿占座
国际英语资讯:Incumbent president leads Romanias presidential elections: exit polls
2017年高考全国Ⅰ卷英语试题(Word版含答案)
国内英语资讯:Prospects of U.S.-China relations promising: think tank symposium
2017年高考浙江卷英语试题(解析版)
体坛英语资讯:Unstoppable Nadal wins 10th title at Roland Garros
国内英语资讯:China to enhance grassroots community governance
体坛英语资讯:China Olympic champion Sun Yang ready for new challenges as three swimming events added in T
体坛英语资讯:Halep keeps calm on the line of womens world No. 1
体坛英语资讯:Former Chelsea goalkeeper Cech joins ice hockey team
国际英语资讯:UNGA First Committee rejects draft decision to hold next session overseas
国际英语资讯:U.S. appellate court again rules against presidents travel ban
国际英语资讯:May says Brexit talks to start as scheduled despite losing parliamentary majority
国内英语资讯:Xi congratulates Duterte on anniversaries of China-Philippines diplomatic ties, Philippines
国内英语资讯:Xi commends outstanding PLA company in HK
国内英语资讯:Flights canceled, trains suspended as China braces for Typhoon Merbok
国际英语资讯:U.S. not winning in Afghanistan: U.S. defense chief
英首相任命内阁成员誓言留任
国内英语资讯:Chinese presidents signed article lauded by Greeks
国内英语资讯:Chinese president arrives in Greece for state visit
体坛英语资讯:Ostapenko wins first Grand Slam trophy at 2017 French Open
未终结的故事 The Unfinished Story
国内英语资讯:Chinese regulator warns against unregistered offshore corporate debt
体坛英语资讯:Neymar poised for 100th Brazil appearance
体坛英语资讯:Loew in a battle to solve Germanys striker problem
体坛英语资讯:China announce 23-man squad for World Cup qualifier
体坛英语资讯:Argentina hold Germany 2-2 in international friendly