UK Manufacturing Output Falls in December

Manufacturing production in the UK edged up by 0.1% month-on-month in January 2026, rebounding from a 0.5% fall in the previous month but falling short of market forecasts of a 0.2% gain. The recovery was largely driven by increases in five of the thirteen manufacturing subsectors, with the largest positive contributions coming from the manufacture of transport equipment (4.0% vs -1.1%), other manufacturing and repair (4.5% vs -2%), and food products, beverages and tobacco (2.2% vs -1.4%). Additionally, output rebounded for chemicals and chemical products (1.5% vs -5%) and basic metals and metal products (0.5% vs -0.8%). On the other hand, the largest negative contributions came from machinery and equipment (-7.7% vs 2.6%), electrical equipment (9.0% vs 4.9%) and computer, electronic and optical products (-2.8% vs 5.6%). On a yearly basis, manufacturing activity rose by 1.3% in January, accelerating from a 0.5% gain in the preceding period but below market estimates of a 1.5% advance.

Manufacturing production in the UK fell by 0.5% month-on-month in December 2025, slipping from a downwardly revised and nine-month high of 1.9% gain in the previous month and falling short of market expectations for no change. The latest figure marked the first month decline in manufacturing activity since September, weighed down by decreases in eight of the thirteen manufacturing sub-sectors, with the largest negative contribution coming from the manufacture of basic pharmaceuticals (-2.6%), food products (-1.4%), and chemical products (-5%). Output also declined for wood and paper products and printing (-2.8%), transport equipment (-1.1%), and other manufacturing and repair (-2%). In contrast, production increased for computer, electronic and optical products (5.6%) and electrical equipment (4.9%). On a yearly basis, manufacturing activity rose by 0.5% in December, slowing from a downwardly revised 1.3% gain in November and well below market forecasts of a 1.8% increase.

Manufacturing production in the UK grew by 2.1% month-on-month in November 2025, surpassing market estimates of a 0.5% increase and accelerating from a slightly downwardly revised 0.4% rise in the previous month. This marked the fastest growth since February, driven by increases in seven of the thirteen manufacturing sub-sectors, with the largest positive contribution coming from the manufacture of transport equipment (10.7% vs 3.9% in October). Additionally, manufacturing output increased for basic pharmaceutical products and preparations (3.8% vs -3.2%), other manufacturing and repair (2.6% vs 3.2%), and basic metals and metal products (2.5% vs 0.3%). On the other hand, production declined for electrical equipment (-2.6% vs -1%) and computer, electronic and optical products (-1.2% vs -2.5%). On a yearly basis, manufacturing activity went up by 2.1% in November, defying market forecasts of a 0.3% decrease and rebounding from a downwardly revised 0.2% fall in October.