The S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI rose to 52.0 in September 2026, up slightly from 51.7 in August and above the market expectation of 51.5, according to the preliminary estimate. The latest increase in manufacturing output, however, was the slowest since the current period of expansion began in April. AI investment and higher defense spending were cited as factors supporting production, while weak consumer demand remained a headwind to growth. New orders remained under pressure, although the decline in export orders was only marginal and marked the first contraction since December 2025. Meanwhile, employment increased for the sixth consecutive month, partly reflecting the fastest rise in backlogs of work since January 2022. On the cost side, input-price inflation accelerated, driven primarily by higher fuel prices. Business confidence strengthened to its highest level since February, supported by expectations of new project starts and increased investment in plant capacity. source: S&P Global

Manufacturing PMI in the United Kingdom increased to 52 points in September from 51.70 points in August of 2026. Manufacturing PMI in the United Kingdom averaged 51.57 points from 2008 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 65.60 points in May of 2021 and a record low of 32.60 points in April of 2020. This page provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom Manufacturing PMI - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Manufacturing PMI in the United Kingdom increased to 52 points in September from 51.70 points in August of 2026. Manufacturing PMI in the United Kingdom is expected to be 52.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United Kingdom Manufacturing PMI is projected to trend around 52.00 points in 2027 and 51.80 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



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United Kingdom Manufacturing PMI
Markit/CIPS UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index measures the performance of the manufacturing sector and is derived from a survey of 600 industrial companies. The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index is based on five individual indexes with the following weights: New Orders (30 percent), Output (25 percent), Employment (20 percent), Suppliers’ Delivery Times (15 percent) and Stock of Items Purchased (10 percent), with the Delivery Times index inverted so that it moves in a comparable direction. A reading above 50 indicates an expansion of the manufacturing sector compared to the previous month; below 50 represents a contraction; while 50 indicates no change. This is only a limited sample of PMI headline data displayed on the Customer’s service, under licence from S&P Global. Full historic PMI headline data and all other PMI sub-index data and histories are available on subscription from S&P Global. Contact economics@spglobal.com for more details.

News Stream
UK Manufacturing Sector Remains Solid in September
The S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI rose to 52.0 in September 2026, up slightly from 51.7 in August and above the market expectation of 51.5, according to the preliminary estimate. The latest increase in manufacturing output, however, was the slowest since the current period of expansion began in April. AI investment and higher defense spending were cited as factors supporting production, while weak consumer demand remained a headwind to growth. New orders remained under pressure, although the decline in export orders was only marginal and marked the first contraction since December 2025. Meanwhile, employment increased for the sixth consecutive month, partly reflecting the fastest rise in backlogs of work since January 2022. On the cost side, input-price inflation accelerated, driven primarily by higher fuel prices. Business confidence strengthened to its highest level since February, supported by expectations of new project starts and increased investment in plant capacity.
2026-09-23
UK Manufacturing Activity Revised Higher
The S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI eased to 51.7 in August of 2026 from 51.9 in the previous month, the lowest in five months, but revised higher from the flash estimate of 51.5. Output rose for a fifth month in the period, albeit at the softest pace since April. New orders grew from both domestic and overseas clients, but the win of new business was concentrated for medium and large-sized companies, which offset weakness in small businesses. The increase in aggregate levels of new orders drove employment levels to rise the most in two years, gaining traction after companies had cited larger contributions to National Insurance as detriments to their headcounts. At the same time, supply chain disruptions moderated and input costs rose at the weakest rate in six months. Looking ahead, half of the companies surveyed were optimistic about the upcoming 12 months.
2026-09-01
UK Manufacturing Growth Slows to 5-Month Low
The UK Manufacturing PMI eased to 51.5 in August 2026, the lowest level in five months, from 51.9 in July, flash data showed. Manufacturing output growth slowed to a marginal pace as precautionary stock-building cooled, while geopolitical uncertainty and elevated cost pressures constrained activity. Input cost inflation remained elevated, largely due to higher energy prices and supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict, pushing up fuel surcharges, transportation costs and raw material prices. Meanwhile, output price inflation remained below previous highs. Constrained budgets and elevated risk aversion continued to weigh on order books. However, business optimism improved, supported by hopes for a turnaround in broader economic conditions.
2026-08-21