Growth in the UK’s private sector has slowed as businesses and customers braced for the Budget , according to new figures.

The S&P Global flash UK composite purchasing managers’ index (PMI) reported a reading of 50.5 in November, slipping from 52.2 in October.

The flash figures are based on preliminary data. Any score above 50.0 indicates that activity is growing while any score below means it is contracting.

Nevertheless, they were weaker than widely expected, with economists having predicted a reading of 51.8 for the month.

Experts said the data indicated that business confidence deteriorated amid broader caution about the state of the UK economy.

Chris Williamson , chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: “November’s flash PMI surveys brought disappoi

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