S&P Global flash composite purchasing managers’ index shows July rise for manufacturing and services sectorsBusiness live – latest updatesUK business activity expanded this month after a sharp rise in new sales to a 15-month high, giving a lift to the new government as it prepares to outline the state of the public finances next week, according to a survey of private-sector firms.A fall in inflation across the services sector was also expected to ease concerns at the Bank of England about persistent price rises before a meeting of the central bank’s policymakers next week. Continue reading...