UK service firms slash jobs at fastest rate for almost four years

The UK’s services sector continued to struggle in December (Alamy/PA) -

Service sector firms have cut jobs at the fastest rate for almost four years amid concerns over subdued consumer sentiment, despite a slight improvement in activity last month.

The closely watched S&P Global UK services PMI survey scored 51.1 in December, up from 50.8 in November. The previous score had been its lowest reading for over a year.