Activity in UK’s embattled manufacturing sector hits 15-month high Economics The UK’s embattled manufacturing sector took another small step towards recovery at the end of 2025 thanks to an influx of new orders. The latest UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) from S&P Global UK hit a 15-month high as the industry continued to grow for the second consecutive month. The PMI reading hit 50.6, up [...]
UK on ‘recession watch’ as economy contracts amid Budget chaos Economics The UK economy shrank 0.1 per cent in October – the second consecutive month of decline – as businesses paused investments amid consistent speculation about upcoming tax hikes in Rachel Reeves’ second Autumn Budget. The latest figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) dealt another blow to the Chancellor’s growth agenda as new [...]
Manufacturing output plummets at fastest pace since pandemic Industrials Manufacturing output in the three months to November dropped at the fastest pace since the pandemic, a new survey has found. Researchers at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said that the balance reading for output volumes across industry was at the lowest level since the quarterly period to August 2020. The weighted balance reading [...]
Carmarker Lotus: ‘No plans’ to shutter UK factory despite fears of closure June 28, 2025 Lotus has said it has ‘no plans’ to close its Norfolk factory despite media reports that the carmaker may move production to the US. Reports on Friday suggested that the company’s Hethel factory – which employs 1,300 people – could be closed within a month, but Lotus said it is “continuing normal operations” in a [...]
Simone Ashley: Bridgerton and Sex Education star’s side hustle almost doubles in value April 30, 2025 A production company founded by Bridgerton and Sex Education star Simone Ashley has almost doubled in value during its latest financial year. Good Catch Entertainment, which is based in Worcestershire, has posted shareholder funds of £1.77m for the 12 months to the end of July 2024, new accounts filed with Companies House show. The latest [...]
Insolvencies at fashion manufacturers jump on cocktail of cost pressures October 29, 2024 Insolvencies at UK fashion manufacturers have risen by nearly a quarter in the past year as a combination of supply and demand pressures has driven firms under while customers switch to pre-loved clothing. According to Forvis Mazars, the international tax and advisory firm, over 100 companies went bust in the year to July 2024, up [...]
More than 750 jobs at risk as Bakkavor set to axe major UK factory September 5, 2024 More than 750 jobs are at risk at the fresh food maker Bakkavor after the London-listed group said it would close one of its North West factories. The company, which is headquartered in London, said today it was looking at axing its Wigan facility after a review revealed it would need “significant investment” to continue [...]