CBI副首席经济学家阿尔佩什·帕雷贾（Alpesh Paleja）表示："成本和价格压力的双重打击尤为令人 担忧，考虑到英国央行对国内通胀压力持续性的担忧，这一情况尤为重要。企业仍然普遍反映，雇主国 民保险缴款（NICs）的提高以及全国生活工资的上涨，一方面推高了自身成本，另一方面也削弱了客 户需求。" 英国工业联合会（CBI）周四表示，英国服务业企业的商业信心在截至5月的季度内降至两年半以 来的最低水平，部分原因是就业税上调导致成本压力加大。CBI数据显示，商业及专业服务公司情绪指 数从2月份的-28%降至5月份的-43%，为2022年11月以来的最低水平。CBI表示，面向消费者的服务企业 的情绪也出现恶化。在价格预期方面，商业及专业服务公司的涨价预期创下两年来的最快增速，尽管与 上一次调查相比，面向消费者的服务企业的涨价预 期略有缓和。CBI特别指出，企业对英国财政大臣雷切尔·里夫斯去年10月宣布的社会保障缴款（雇 主支付部分）增加250亿英镑（约合337.8亿美元），以及最低工资上涨近7%表示担忧，这两项措施均 于4月生效。 （原标题：英国工业联合会称，英国服务业信心跌至两年半低点） 英国央行本月已下调 ...

Group 1 - The confidence index for business and professional services in the UK dropped from -28 in February to -43 in May, marking the lowest level since November 2022 [1] - Consumer-facing service companies also experienced a decline in confidence, with price increase expectations rising at the fastest rate in two years for business and professional services [1] - Concerns were raised regarding the increase in employer social security contributions by £25 billion (approximately $33.78 billion) and a nearly 7% rise in the minimum wage, both effective from April [1] Group 2 - The profit expectations index for business and professional services fell to -47, the lowest level since February 2020, and lower than the previous quarter's -36 [2] - Investment intentions, business volume, and hiring conditions all showed a decline [2] - The UK services sector's PMI for May recorded an initial value of 50.2, indicating a slow return to growth, despite low confidence in future prospects [2]