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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Tom Knowles

UK services sector job cuts continue as companies automate, PMI survey shows

United Kingdom
People walk through the City of London business district a
The services sector is the biggest in the UK economy, contributing nearly 80% to the country’s output and ranging from hospitality industry to financial firms. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

Companies in the UK’s services sector cut jobs last month, as they turned to “automation” rather than hiring new staff, a closely watched survey showed.

The monthly purchasing managers’ index showed employment numbers fell more sharply in January compared with December, continuing a trend that started in October 2024.

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