UK Manufacturing Output Rebounds More Than Expected

Manufacturing production in the UK grew by 1.2% month-on-month in August 2026, beating market expectations for a 0.1% decline and rebounding from a revised 1.0% increase in July. This marked the fastest growth since March, as output increased in nine of the thirteen manufacturing subsectors, with the largest positive contribution coming from the manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products (5.1% vs 3.4 in July) which contributed over half of the overall monthly growth within manufacturing. Moreover, rubber and plastic products and non-metallic mineral products (2.1% vs. -2.3%), machinery and equipment (2.0% vs. 1.0%), and wood and paper products (3.2% vs. -0.8%) increased. In contrast, food products, beverages and tobacco (-1.0% vs 0.4%) and coke and refined petroleum product (-1.8% vs 0%) declined. On an annual basis, manufacturing activity increased by 3.0% in August, the fastest rise since March 2024, above forecasts of 2.3% and accelerating from a 2.2% gain in the preceding period.

Manufacturing production in the UK grew by 0.9% month-on-month in July 2026, surpassing market expectations for a 0.2% rise and rebounding from a 0.5% fall in June. Output increased in eight of the thirteen manufacturing subsectors, with the largest positive contribution coming from the manufacture of computer, electronics and optical products (5.2% vs -0.9% in June), followed by basic metals (2.8% vs -2.8%), coke and refined petroleum products (1.2% vs 0.4%), and food products, beverages and tobacco (0.9% vs 1.0%). In contrast, production declined mainly for rubber and plastic products and non-metallic mineral products (-3.0% vs 0.4%), machinery and equipment not elsewhere classified (-1.5% vs -0.1%), and wood and paper products and printing (-1.2% vs -1.3%). On an annual basis, manufacturing activity increased by 2.6% in July, the fastest rise since March 2024, above forecasts of 2% and accelerating from a 0.5% gain in the preceding period.

Manufacturing production in the UK fell 0.5% month-on-month in June 2026, worse than market expectations and May's downwardly revised 0.2% drop. Output contracted in seven of the thirteen manufacturing subsectors, with the largest negative contributions coming from the manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and preparations (-5.1% vs 0.2% in May), alongside computer, electronic and optical products (-0.9% vs 2.1%), and machinery and equipment not elsewhere classified (-0.1% vs 3.4%). Meanwhile, production rebounded in the manufacture of food products, beverages and tobacco (1.0% vs -0.1%), coke and refined petroleum products (0.4% vs -1.0%), rubber and plastic products and non-metallic mineral products (0.4% vs -1.9%), and other manufacturing and repair activities (3.2% vs -1.4%). On an annual basis, manufacturing output growth slowed to a four-month low of 0.5% from a downwardly revised 2.0% in May, falling short of market expectations for a 1.2% increase.