UK private sector reaches highest growth since 2013 – study

The IHS Markit/CIPS Flash UK Composite PMI provides one of the first measures of an opening economy, as the country emerges from the winter lockdown periods.

Restaurants and pubs started to reopen again earlier this month. Picture: Jonathan Brady/PA

The UK’s private sector is growing at its fastest rate since 2013, according to a measure that is closely watched by economists.

The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose from 56.4 in March to 60 in the first weeks of April, data shows.