The UK’s total order book balance remained at -45 in July 2026, matching the joint-lowest level since September 2020 and falling short of market expectations of -40. Rising costs and weak demand are squeezing manufacturers, forcing them to absorb pressure through tighter margins, reduced investment, and further job cuts. According to the CBI’s quarterly data, cost pressures for manufacturers surged in the three months to July, with unit costs rising at the fastest pace since the three months to October 2022. However, output expectations for the next three months improved slightly, edging up to -30 from -31 in June. source: Confederation of British Industry

Factory Orders in the United Kingdom decreased to 45 Net Balance in July of 2026 over the previous month. Factory Orders in the United Kingdom averaged -18.29 Net Balance from 1977 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 26.00 Net Balance in November of 2021 and a record low of -79.00 Net Balance in October of 1980. This page provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom CBI Industrial Trends Orders - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. United Kingdom CBI Industrial Trends Orders - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on July of 2026.

Factory Orders in the United Kingdom decreased to 45 Net Balance in July of 2026 over the previous month. Factory Orders in the United Kingdom is expected to be -40.00 Net Balance by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United Kingdom CBI Industrial Trends Orders is projected to trend around -16.00 Net Balance in 2027 and -10.00 Net Balance in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-06-23 10:00 AM
CBI Industrial Trends Orders
Jun -45 -41 -35 -36
2026-07-23 10:00 AM
CBI Industrial Trends Orders
Jul -45 -45 -40 -43
2026-08-21 10:00 AM
CBI Industrial Trends Orders
Aug -45


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Crude Oil Rigs 6.00 6.00 Jun 2026
Electricity Price 117.20 122.43 GBP/MWh Jul 2026
Electricity Production 68407.60 66079.40 Gigawatt-hour Mar 2026
CBI Industrial Trends Orders -45.00 -45.00 Net Balance Jul 2026
Industrial Production YoY 1.00 0.00 percent May 2026
Industrial Production MoM -0.50 0.20 percent May 2026
GDP 3-Month Avg 0.70 0.80 percent May 2026
Manufacturing Production YoY 2.30 1.00 percent May 2026
Manufacturing Production MoM 0.10 0.50 Percent May 2026
Mining Production -7.60 -5.40 percent May 2026
New Orders 10553.00 11791.00 GBP Million Mar 2026
New Car Sales YoY 11.40 7.10 percent Jun 2026
Business Investment QoQ 0.90 -3.00 percent Mar 2026


United Kingdom CBI Industrial Trends Orders
In the United Kingdom, the Confederation of British Industry‘s Industrial Trends Survey of total order book balance tracks changes in the level of factory orders from around 500 companies across 38 sectors of manufacturing industry. The survey covers domestic and export orders, stocks, price, investment intentions and output expectations. For each variable, manufacturers are asked if present situation is above normal, normal or below normal. The results are presented as a weighted percentage balance, that is, the difference between the percentage of respondents replying more or up to each question minus the percentage replying less or down.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-45.00 -45.00 26.00 -79.00 1977 - 2026 Net Balance Monthly
NSA

News Stream
UK Order Book Balance Holds at Six-Year Low
The UK’s total order book balance remained at -45 in July 2026, matching the joint-lowest level since September 2020 and falling short of market expectations of -40. Rising costs and weak demand are squeezing manufacturers, forcing them to absorb pressure through tighter margins, reduced investment, and further job cuts. According to the CBI’s quarterly data, cost pressures for manufacturers surged in the three months to July, with unit costs rising at the fastest pace since the three months to October 2022. However, output expectations for the next three months improved slightly, edging up to -30 from -31 in June.
2026-07-23
UK Manufacturing Order Books Sink to 6-year Low
The UK’s total order book balance fell to -45 in June 2026 from -41 in May, the lowest since September 2020 and worse than market expectations of -35. Output volumes dropped across most sectors, with food, drink & tobacco, mechanical engineering, paper, printing & media, and metal products among the hardest hit. Export demand also weakened, with export order books falling to -33 and remaining well below long-term averages. Firms continue to describe both domestic and overseas orders as below “normal” levels, reflecting fragile global demand conditions. Despite the downturn, selling price expectations remain elevated at 22, although this is a sharp easing from May’s 38. CBI economist Cameron Martin said manufacturers are facing weak demand and high costs, while uncertainty is limiting investment. He added that stabilisation in energy markets, including progress on US-Iran talks, could eventually ease pressures, but warned that recovery will take time.
2026-06-23
UK Manufacturing Order Books Weakest Since 2020
The UK’s total order book balance fell to -41 in May 2026 from -38 in April, slightly worse than market expectations of -40, CBI data showed. The reading is the lowest since September 2020 and well below its long-term average of -14. The Middle East conflict is feeding through to higher energy costs and renewed supply chain disruption, adding to challenges for manufacturers against an increasingly uncertain global backdrop. Weak demand persists, with selling price expectations rising to their strongest level since 2023. Output declined in 13 of 17 sub-sectors in the three months to May, led by falls in food, drink & tobacco, mechanical engineering, metal products, and paper, printing & media. Stocks of finished goods were seen as adequate, though the balance remained below historical norms.
2026-05-21