John Cridland, CBI Director-General, said: “This is a welcome uptick which confirms our view that 2013 will see real growth.

“The broad-based pick-up in the services sector is an encouraging basis for further organic growth.

“What Britain’s economy now needs to see in the coming months is a recovery in manufacturing output, helped by a brighter global outlook.

“The Government must build on these emerging signs of confidence by getting behind Britain’s entrepreneurs and exporters.”