LONDON, Dec 1 (Reuters) – Optimism in Britain’s services sector declined at the fastest pace in three years in the three months to November, hurt by ongoing cost pressures that have eroded profits, the Confederation of British Industry said on Monday.

Finance minister Rachel Reeves’ annual budget on November 26 – which set out 26 billion pounds ($34 billion)in tax rises – was unlikely to spark a rebound in morale, the CBI said.

“Last week’s Budget will add further costs to businesses, while also hampering business investment and profitability, notably with the addition of national insurance contributions to salary sacrifice pension contributions and failure to address punitive business energy costs,” CBI official Charlotte Dendy said.

Separate figures from the Institute of Directors, al

See Full Page