London

GROWTH across British services companies rebounded more strongly than expected last month, a survey showed, suggesting economic growth picked up speed at the start of the final quarter, although business confidence slipped to a 2 1/2-year low.

The Markit/CIPS UK services purchasing managers' index, published on Wednesday, rose to 54.9 from September's 28-month low of 53.3, above the 54.5 forecast by a Reuters poll of economists.