• Prior 47.7

Key findings:

  • Employment falls at faster rate
  • Input cost and selling price inflation hold broadly steady

Comment:

Rob Dobson, Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence

“The UK manufacturing sector is starting to send some tentatively encouraging signals, with the downturn moderating in July as factory output came close to stabilising and future output expectations hit the highest since February.

“However, it’s clear that there’s no assured path back to strong growth. Clients in the home market often remain unwilling to spend due to cost factors such as higher minimum wages and employer NICs, while export markets are being buffeted by geopolitical stresses and trade and tariff uncertainties.

“The biggest concern remains the labour market, with the rate of job cutting through much of 2025 among the steepest since the pandemic year of 2020. “With the Autumn budget only a few months away, manufacturers will likely remain cautious and focussed on stabilisation while waiting to see if future budget announcements provide much needed support or further challenges to overcome."

Source: Forex Live