Britain’s private sector culls jobs for 17th month in a row

PRIVATE sector jobs were slashed for the 17th consecutive month in February led by a steep drop for services companies.

- BY SAMUEL NORMAN

Chris Williamson warned of job cuts

Experts said bosses remain focused on boosting productivity rather than payrolls in response to Labour's 2024 Autumn Budget.

S&P Global’s latest flash Purchasing Managers Index described the rate of job shedding last month as at a “solid pace” but “fractionally slower” than in January.

The services sector was highlighted for a “particularly sharp drop” in payroll numbers compared with manufacturing, which also ran at a loss.