“The services PMI rose to 55.3 in March from 53.3 in February. That is ahead of where the index was a year ago (54.2) and the 12-month average reading (52.1) and – most importantly of all – above the 50 mark.
Source: CIPS/Markit
“A score above 50 from these surveys (which is all they are, rather than hard, economic fact) tends to signal confidence and prospects for future growth, whereas a score below 50 tends to warn of a slowdown or even a recession.
“Even though both Monday’s manufacturing survey and Tuesday’s construction reading both fell month-on-month they were still both comfortably above the 50 threshold. Manufacturing also came in above its 12-month average reading while construction was in line.
“The services reading should also soothe concerns that inflation would start to erode consumer confidence and chip away at shoppers’ spending power.
“As such there is no need to panic about the UK’s economic prospects, even if some may be disappointed by the lack of acceleration given the potential benefits brought to exporters in particular by the weaker pound.
“The Office for Budget Responsibility is forecasting 2.0% GDP growth for 2017, up from 1.8% in 2016.”