UK services sector growth accelerated slightly in April, but inflationary pressures mounted, a survey shows.

The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply’s business activity index for the key services sector rose from 55 in March to 55.8 in April on a seasonally adjusted basis, moving further above the level of 50 deemed to separate expansion from contraction.

The pace of increase of average prices charged by services companies accelerated to its fastest pace since July 2008. Firms’ costs have surged on the back of sterling weakness in the wake of the Brexit vote.