The S&P Global UK Services PMI fell to 47.9 in May 2026 from 52.7 in the prior month, missing market forecasts of 51.7, flash estimates showed. The data indicated the first contraction since April last year and the sharpest downturn since early 2021, as new orders declined. Firms cited greater economic hesitancy and weaker investment sentiment among clients, along with delayed consumer spending decisions in response to the Middle East war, particularly affecting international travel. Several also pointed to domestic political uncertainty weighing on client confidence. As a result, the rate of job shedding accelerated. On the price front, average cost burdens increased, driven by rising oil prices and transport costs, as well as strong wage pressures. Lastly, service providers signaled weaker growth expectations, with planned investment spending and ongoing AI innovation overshadowed by headwinds from inflation, geopolitical uncertainty, and subdued discretionary consumer demand. source: S&P Global

Services PMI in the United Kingdom decreased to 47.90 points in May from 52.70 points in April of 2026. Services PMI in the United Kingdom averaged 53.09 points from 2007 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 62.90 points in May of 2021 and a record low of 13.40 points in April of 2020. This page provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom Services PMI - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Services PMI in the United Kingdom decreased to 47.90 points in May from 52.70 points in April of 2026. Services PMI in the United Kingdom is expected to be 51.90 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United Kingdom Services PMI is projected to trend around 53.00 points in 2027 and 52.80 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



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United Kingdom Services PMI
The S&P Global/CIPS UK Services PMI (Purchasing Managers' Index) is based on data collected from companies in the transport and communication sector, financial intermediation, business services, personal services, computing and IT and hotels and restaurants. The index tracks variables such as sales, employment, inventories and prices. A reading above 50 indicates that the services sector is generally expanding; below 50 indicates that it is generally declining. This is only a limited sample of PMI headline data displayed on the Customer’s service, under licence from S&P Global. Full historic PMI headline data and all other PMI sub-index data and histories are available on subscription from S&P Global. Contact economics@spglobal.com for more details.

News Stream
US Services Sector Unexpectedly Contracts
The S&P Global UK Services PMI fell to 47.9 in May 2026 from 52.7 in the prior month, missing market forecasts of 51.7, flash estimates showed. The data indicated the first contraction since April last year and the sharpest downturn since early 2021, as new orders declined. Firms cited greater economic hesitancy and weaker investment sentiment among clients, along with delayed consumer spending decisions in response to the Middle East war, particularly affecting international travel. Several also pointed to domestic political uncertainty weighing on client confidence. As a result, the rate of job shedding accelerated. On the price front, average cost burdens increased, driven by rising oil prices and transport costs, as well as strong wage pressures. Lastly, service providers signaled weaker growth expectations, with planned investment spending and ongoing AI innovation overshadowed by headwinds from inflation, geopolitical uncertainty, and subdued discretionary consumer demand.
2026-05-21
UK Services Activity Growth Revised Slighty Higher
The S&P Global UK Services PMI was revised slightly higher to 52.7 in April 2026 from a flash estimate of 52, up from March's 11-month low of 50.5. The data signaled a moderate expansion of the service sector, amid reported resilient global demand for technology services. However, new business intakes remained subdued overall amid headwinds from the Middle East conflict, with concerns over intensifying inflationary pressures, global supply shortages and elevated borrowing costs. Employment fell further, but the rate of job shedding was the weakest in six months. Service providers saw the fastest rise in cost burdens since November 2022, driven mainly by higher transport costs and wages. Several firms also introduced fuel surcharges, pushing service-sector output price inflation to a three-year high in April. Lastly, businesses continued to expect an upturn in business activity over the year ahead. Optimism edged up from March’s nine-month low but remained below the long-run average.
2026-05-06
UK Services Sector Performs Better Than Anticipated
The S&P Global UK Services PMI rose to 52 in April 2026 from 50.5 in the prior month, surpassing market forecasts of 50, flash estimates showed. Business activity growth picked up from March’s 11-month low, with firms citing support from technology investment, marketing initiatives, and long-term business plans. However, new orders posted a marginal reduction, reflecting fragile demand conditions due to rising global uncertainty and higher inflationary pressures amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. Employment also continued to decline. Turning to prices, inflationary pressures increased sharply. Input cost inflation was the steepest since the survey began almost 30 years ago, largely due to higher fuel prices, alongside strong wage pressures. Output charges also rose significantly. Lastly, business sentiment deteriorated amid worries about geopolitical tensions weighing on costs, demand, and investment.
2026-04-23