UK preliminary PMI survey strongest in year
GfK consumer confidence index highest since Feb 2022
Retail sales fall but rain seen as factor
UK economy seen as laggard among peers
Bank of England due to make next rate decision in May

LONDON, April 21 Reuters British businesses reported their busiest month in a year and consumers turned more confident, according to surveys published on Friday that added to signs of a recovery in the economy that has so far defied forecasts of a recession.

The preliminary reading of the SP GlobalCIPS UK Composite Purchasing Mangers39; Index PMI also showed the slowest input cost inflation in over two years, but price pressures look strong enough for the Bank of England to raise rates again next month.

The PMI spanning services and manufacturing firms rose to 53.9 in April from 52.2 in March, putting it further above the 50 line denoting growth for the third consecutive month and representing the strongest growth since April last year.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast a lower reading of 52.5.

The key takeaway is that the economy as a whole is not only showing encouraging resilience but has gained growth momentum heading into the second quarter, Chris Williamson, chief business economist at SP Global, said.

The PMI was driven by the services sector as consumer spending on travel, leisure and entertainment showed strength while manufacturing remained weak.

Williamson said the survey was consistent with quarterly gross…