Prøve GULL - Gratis

Automation is blamed as jobs in services sector decline

The Guardian

|

February 05, 2026

Companies in the UK's services sector cut jobs last month, as they turned to automation rather than hiring new staff, a key survey has shown.

- Tom Knowles

The monthly purchasing managers' index (PMI) showed employment fell more sharply in January compared with December, continuing a trend that began in October 2024. The PMI survey, considered to be one of the most reliable indicators of how a sector is performing, said this was the longest period of job shedding in the UK services sector in 16 years, with firms also choosing not to replace voluntary leavers.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA The Guardian

The Guardian

The Guardian

'It's over' for Starmer, say Labour MPs amid fury over Mandelson

No 10 to release papers on peer's appointment as ambassador to US

time to read

2 mins

February 05, 2026

The Guardian

Autistic girls 'much less likely to be diagnosed'

Women may be just as likely to be autistic as men but boys are up to four times more likely to be diagnosed in childhood, a large study suggests.

time to read

2 mins

February 05, 2026

The Guardian

Israel bulldozed allied war graves in Palestine

Israeli forces bulldozed part of a Gaza cemetery containing the war graves of dozens of British, Australian and other allied soldiers killed in the first and second world wars, satellite images and witness testimony have revealed.

time to read

4 mins

February 05, 2026

The Guardian

The Guardian

Cherubbed out: Giorgia Meloni likeness scrubbed from fresco

The face of an angel bearing a striking resemblance to the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has been erased from a fresco in a Rome church after reportedly embarrassing the Vatican.

time to read

1 min

February 05, 2026

The Guardian

The Guardian

Marmoush's double for City sets up showdown with Arsenal

Strap yourself in for a Wembley showdown between Manchester City and Arsenal that should be as fascinating on the grass as the sideline where Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta bid to outsmart each other.

time to read

3 mins

February 05, 2026

The Guardian

The Guardian

Libya Murdered son of Gaddafi was a threat to ruling elite

The assassination of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the second son of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi, is a reminder of both how violent Libya remains more than 15 years after the late dictator’s demise - and how much Saif had come to be perceived as a threat to Libya’s governing elite.

time to read

2 mins

February 05, 2026

The Guardian

Everton sack Sørensen after WSL woes at Goodison Park

Everton have sacked women's team manager Brian Sørensen with the club ninth in the Women's Super League.

time to read

1 mins

February 05, 2026

The Guardian

Santander hits out at FCA over £461m bill for loan scandal

Santander has accused the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) of overreach, after its bill for compensating drivers affected by the UK car finance scandal reached £461m.

time to read

1 min

February 05, 2026

The Guardian

Automation is blamed as jobs in services sector decline

Companies in the UK's services sector cut jobs last month, as they turned to automation rather than hiring new staff, a key survey has shown.

time to read

1 min

February 05, 2026

The Guardian

The Guardian

'Please come' Snakebite death of Nigerian singer highlights global failings

In a last message to her friends, Ifunanya Nwangene wrote: “Please come.”

time to read

2 mins

February 05, 2026

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size