Stockpiling helps manufacturing sector power through Iran war blows Industrials The manufacturing sector has powered through the turmoil brought by the Iran war as output grew at the fastest pace in 21 months, according to a business survey. S&P Global researchers said that output growth accelerated as firms rushed to stockpile goods ahead of further expected trade turmoil in the Middle East. The overall purchasing [...]
Warning lights: UK services suffer worst shock since January 2023 Economics Business activity across the UK economy is at a 14-month low, research has suggested, as growth has taken a toll from Labour’s political woes and the impact of the continued trade disruption. The initial estimate for S&P Global’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) dropped to a score of 49.4 in June, falling further below the neutral [...]
UK manufacturing survives Iran war impact Industrials The UK’s manufacturing sector appeared to survive the immediate impact of the Iran war in May, new data has suggested, as researchers suggested that production rose to a four-year high. S&P Global’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the sector hit 53.9 in May, well above the neutrality figure of 50 and higher than April’s recording [...]
Firms accelerate job cuts as 12-month growth run ends May 21, 2026 Firms have accelerated job cut plans across the private sector as a 12-month run of business growth has come to an end, new data has revealed. Employers have now slashed headcount levels in each of the last 20 months, with the pace of job shedding in May coming at a faster pace, S&P Global researchers [...]
Businesses cut jobs for 19 consecutive months yet ‘growth holds up’ May 6, 2026 Businesses have now cut jobs for 19 consecutive months as researchers warned that higher payroll costs and productivity gains have forced employers in the services sector to rethink hiring plans. Results from S&P Global’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) suggested that lower staffing numbers across the UK’s dominant services sector have been recorded in each month [...]
Costs up, demand down: Manufacturers suffer biggest squeeze since 2022 April 1, 2026 Costs for the UK’s manufacturing sector have risen at the fastest pace in three and a half years, new data has indicated, as the energy price shock from the Iran war hammers businesses. S&P Global research has found that manufacturers suffered the highest increase in input prices since late 2022 when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine [...]
UK economy facing ‘pronounced recession’ March 24, 2026 The war in the Middle East is “stalling growth” in the UK economy, fresh data has shown, as economists warned that a “pronounced recession” will come if energy prices stay high. A monthly survey of business activity across the country has suggested that there was a slowdown in output as well as a fall in [...]
Manufacturing exports highest in four years despite jobs decline March 2, 2026 Export orders across the manufacturing sector hit its highest level in four years and a half despite a continued decline in employment across the sector, new research has shown. S&P Global’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) has pointed to upbeat news on the UK economy ahead of tomorrow’s Spring Statement, which will be delivered by Chancellor [...]
Employment falls despite manufacturing output hitting new high February 2, 2026 Employment across the manufacturing sector dropped despite output jumping to its highest level in 17 months, new data has shown. Manufacturers continued shedding staff due to high pay and tax pressures, according to S&P Global’s latest purchasing managers index (PMI). The poor reading for the labour market came in direct conflict with more positive results [...]
Jobseeker numbers rise ‘sharply’ in labour market setback January 12, 2026 The number of jobseekers rose “sharply” in December alongside a slump in demand for new hires, analysis has shown, posing a threat to the future of the UK labour market. Analysis of S&P Global’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) indicated the jobs market weakened further at the end of last year, undermining hopes of a recovery [...]