UK PMI hits a 22-month high in February — but job cuts won’t stop
UK flash composite PMI rose to 53.9 in February, the highest since April 2024, as factory output and export orders picked up. Employment fell for a 17th month, with firms citing cost pressures and redundancies. Retail sales jumped 1.8% in January, and the public sector posted a record £30.4 billion surplus. Input costs and selling prices increased, mainly in services.