Manufacturing order books suffer sharp drop October 23, 2025 Manufacturing activity in October suffered a sharp drop amid high interest rates and uncertainty around the upcoming Budget, a new survey has found. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI)’s latest industrial trends survey has shown that the total orders balance fell to minus 38. The CBI said September’s figure showed a score of minus 28. [...]
Manufacturing sector breakdown worsens amid ‘dearth of export work’ October 1, 2025 A breakdown in activity across the manufacturing sector has deepened as new data has shown export work coming to a halt and investment falling flat. S&P Global’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for manufacturing in September showed the sector was still struggling to bounce back despite some quiet optimism in recent months. Activity in the sector [...]
Defence spending will ‘generate 85,000 jobs’ by 2035 September 8, 2025 Defence spending commitments will create a total of 85,000 jobs across the sector in the next 10 years, analysis by a leading industry body has suggested, as government officials are rolling out plans to attract investment from the private sector. Ahead of a conference on defence investment, the trade body ADS has said the defence [...]
Rachel Reeves tells creditors to resolve Thames Water crisis September 1, 2025 Rachel Reeves has called for a “market-based solution” to be found at Thames Water before the company is put into special administration. The Chancellor reportedly sent a letter to creditors of Thames Water to state that any solution must result in a “successful turnaround”. Her letter came after environment secretary Steve Reed said the government [...]
Balfour Beatty receives profit boost from government contracts August 13, 2025 Infrastructure group Balfour Beatty recorded a jump in profit for the first half of the year after a bumper performance in its UK construction. The London-listed firm posted a £20m rise in pre-tax profit for the first six months of the year to £132m, up from £112m last year. It came as the business’ UK [...]
Anglo American: Revenue takes hit amid Trump tariff turmoil July 31, 2025 Anglo American’s revenue has taken a hit as tariff turmoil dented trading levels for the mining company. The FTSE 100 giant is taking a greater focus on copper but it has not escaped the threat of President Donald Trump’s threats on all commodities including the red metal. Late on Wednesday, the US president said he [...]
Metlen confirms £5.5bn London listing date July 29, 2025 Greek industrial giant Metlen Energy and Metals has confirmed it will list on the London Stock Exchange next week, in a much-needed boost to the UK’s listing-starved public markets. The mining and energy firm confirmed on Tuesday it had completed its voluntary Share Exchange Offer (SEO) with an acceptance rate of over 90 per cent, [...]
Exclusive: Ministry of Defence fends off fake invoices in battle against fraudsters July 22, 2025 The Ministry of Defence has dismissed more than a thousand invoices in each of the last three years in a warning sign that fraudsters are targeting government services. A Freedom of Information request has unveiled the extent of invoices given the red flag by the government and their total value. These can include claims for [...]
Manufacturers fear Labour government will ‘derail growth’ July 1, 2025 Manufacturers continued to see output decline in June, fresh data has shown, as most business owners are now looking at how they can grow under the Labour government. The UK government last week unveiled its industrial strategy aimed at giving high-growth sectors such as advanced manufacturing confidence over the next ten years. But fresh research [...]
Biggest manufacturers expected to pay £685m more in tax June 30, 2025 Manufacturers across the UK will have to cough up £685m more in new property taxes next year, new research has suggested, adding costs to several businesses which are struggling to boost output and already cutting back on headcounts. The government last week said it was ready to address high electricity prices for up to 7,000 [...]