UK manufacturing downturn eases a touch in September - CBI
By Michele Maatouk
Date: Tuesday 23 Sep 2025
(Sharecast News) - The decline in UK manufacturing output eased in the three months to September, according to the latest industrial trends survey from the Confederation of British Industry.
The CBI's balance for manufacturing orders was -27%, up from -33 in August.
Meanwhile, the gauge for the volume of output expected in the next three months declined to -14 in September from -13 the month before.
Ben Jones, lead economist at the CBI, said: "Manufacturers report a mix of pressures weighing on the sector: high energy costs, uncertainty over taxation and economic policy, and ongoing difficulties in accessing skilled labour. In this environment, planning for growth is extremely challenging, and this is feeding through to weaker orders, output and investment. While the pace of decline has eased, conditions look set to remain tough through to the end of the year.
"Businesses across the board are looking ahead to the November Budget with hope that it delivers meaningful action to ease cost and regulatory pressures. Without that clear policy direction, confidence will continue to ebb and firms will find it increasingly difficult to invest, hire and grow. They also hope to see the government use the coming weeks as an opportunity to refine the Employment Rights Bill so that a pragmatic and workable landing zone that avoids unintended consequences for growth can be found."
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