{"success":true,"data":{"id":"706d0ebe-2961-4e0b-84f8-5ac17a796d19","title":"UK business activity buoyed by staycations, hot weather and World Cup","summary":"New early figures showed that activity in the private sector increased for the first in three months in July.","content":"US Edition Change\n\nSupport Now\n\n*   News[News](https://www.independent.co.uk/us)\n\n*   World Cup[World Cup](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup)\n\n*   Sports[Sports](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport)\n\n*   Culture[Culture](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment)\n\n*   Lifestyle[Lifestyle](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style)\n\n*   Money[Money](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/money)\n\n*   Travel[Travel](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/travel)\n\n*   Premium[Premium](https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium)\n\nMore\n\nMore\n\n### Thank you for registering\n\nPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in\n\n# UK business activity buoyed by staycations, hot weather and World Cup\n\n## New early figures showed that activity in the private sector increased for the first in three months in July.\n\n[Henry Saker-Clark](https://www.independent.co.uk/author/henry-saker-clark)Friday 24 July 2026 11:19 BST\n\n*   Copy link  \n*   Bookmark  \n\n## Bookmark popover\n\nRemoved from bookmarks\n\nClose popover\n\nopen image in gallery\n\nUK business activity lifted this month amid a boost from the World Cup (Steven Paston/PA)(PA Wire)\n\n### Your support helps us to tell the story\n\nFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.\n\nAt such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.\n\nThe Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.\n\n**Your support makes all the difference.**\n\nThe recent heatwave, the World Cup and staycations by holidaymakers helped UK business activity bounce back to surprise growth this month.\n\nThe S&P Global flash UK composite purchasing managers’ index (PMI), which is watched closely by economists, recorded a reading of 52.1 in July, rising from 49.3 in June.\n\nAny score above the 50.0 threshold represents growth, with a reading below this pointing to decline.\n\nAnalysts had predicted decline for the month, with the data significantly outstripping estimates of a 49.7 reading.\n\n[Chris Williamson](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/chris-williamson), chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: “UK businesses reported stronger activity in July, pointing to a faster pace of economic growth at the start of the third quarter.\n\n“Hospitality companies saw demand boosted by good weather, the Fifa World Cup and more domestic holidays, as high costs and uncertainty continued to deter some foreign travel.\n\n“However, overall services growth remained lacklustre amid cost-of-living pressures.”\n\nGrowth over the month was significantly driven by the UK’s manufacturing sector, which rose to a reading of 53.6 for the month.\n\nPeople enjoy the sun at Viking Bay, Broadstairs, Kent (Gareth Fuller/PA)(PA Wire)\n\nGoods producers saw production levels rise for the fourth consecutive month to take growth to its strongest level September 2024.\n\nFirms linked the rise to “generally improving” market conditions and a rise in new orders.\n\nElsewhere, the influential service sector also returned to growth, striking a three-month high of 51.8.\n\nSurveyed companies said they saw stronger demand as the World Cup helped to boost activity in the hospitality sector, with fans going to pubs to watch matches.\n\nThere were however still reports that “elevated uncertainty” linked to the conflict in the [Middle East](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/middle-east) had impacted some consumer confidence, while parts of the sector were also affected by hot weather.\n\nJuly’s data also highlighted another moderation input price inflation, as cost pressures eased in the manufacturing and service sectors.\n\nThomas Pugh, chief economist at RSM UK, said: “The sharp rebound in the flash [PMI](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/pmi) suggests the economy received a timely boost from World Cup fever, good weather and lower fuel prices in July.\n\n“Combined with rising consumer confidence and stronger retail sales, it suggests households and businesses have taken the first phase of the Iran war remarkably well.”\n\n### More about\n\n### Most popular\n\n### Popular videos\n\n### Bulletin","source_name":"The Independent","source_url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/pmi-chris-williamson-people-middle-east-broadstairs-b3020890.html","url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/pmi-chris-williamson-people-middle-east-broadstairs-b3020890.html","author":"Henry Saker-Clark","author_name":"Henry Saker-Clark","published_at":"2026-07-24T10:19:46.000Z","publication_date":"2026-07-24T10:19:46.000Z","image_url":"https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/07/24/11/7feda5b7fabee5a4eeeb9599812cee7aY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzg0OTczNTE5-2.85201108.jpg","category":"markets","topic":"markets","tags":[],"political_bias":null,"bias_score":null,"confidence_score":null,"credibility_score":null,"factual_quality":null,"reading_time":4,"word_count":668,"view_count":0,"breaking":false,"breaking_news":false,"ai_analysis":null,"fact_check_status":"unverified","archive_status":"hot","language":null}}