Services Increase Output By 1%

The ONS Index of Services rose by 1% in April 2010 compared with April 2009. All five components saw an increase in output in the most recent month on a year earlier. Distribution made the largest contribution with an increase of 4.6%.

The motor trades made the largest contribution within distribution with an increase of 10.3%. Retail also made a significant constribution with an increase of 3.4%. Hotels and restaurants increased by 0.4% with the biggest increase coming from restaurants. Transport, storage and communication increased output by 0.2% with transport services making the most difference with an increase in output of 4.7%. Business services and finance increased its output by 0.4% in April 2010 compared with April 2009. Real estate made the biggest contribution with an increase in output of 2.6% which added 0.8 percentage points to the 0.4% increase. Government and other services increased their output by 0.5% and the largest contribution came from health and social care which increased by 3.1% adding 1 percentage point to the 0.5% increase on last year.