US private sector job growth slows in July

The US private sector hiring slowed in July, a private survey showed Wednesday, as the economy slowed and uncertainty rose from the political battle over raising the country's debt ceiling.Payrolls firm ADP said a net 114,000 jobs were created by private, non-farm businesses, compared to 145,000 in June.It was still better than the May figure of 35,000 in May, and was close to the monthly average for the past six-months of just under 113,000.The new jobs created were all in the service sector, especially health services and professional business services; about 7,000 jobs in the goods-producing sector were lost last month, ADP said.With governments at all levels cutting budgets and laying off staff across the country, many hope private sector hiring will pick up to make a dent in the 9.2 percent unemployment rate.