The British pound was the weakest of the majors on Monday and ended the day virtually unchanged from the US dollar. However, the purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the UK’s services sector jumped to a 2-year high of 55.3 in September from 54.1, suggesting spending is improving despite rising unemployment. That said, an announcement made in the afternoon indicating that UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown is planning a pay freeze for government workers, including civil servants and some doctors, indicates that there are still major headwinds facing consumers in the near-term.