UK manufacturing at four-year high but costs rise at pandemic pace Economics The UK manufacturing sector broke to a four-year record in April but the constraints triggered by the Iran war threatened to upend growth prospects. The latest Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) from S&P Global put the industry’s reading at 53.7 – its best since May 2022. This marked its sixth consecutive month above the neutral 50.0 [...]
Manufacturers warn of ‘fragile footing’ as Iran war threatens to hike costs Economics UK manufacturing has started the year on “fragile footing,” with its economic standing likely to worsen due to the conflict in the Middle East, the sector’s industry has warned. A new report from Make UK revealed the sector is set to grow by just shy one one per cent in 2026, a modest rebound after [...]
Carmakers to skirt a crash in £11bn motor finance redress Economics UK carmakers are set to curb a hefty hit in the City regulator’s forthcoming redress scheme for the motor finance scandal. Captive lenders, in-house lenders of manufacturers, are to be granted some reprieve by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) after relentless lobbying that the scheme could hamper investment in the UK. The FCA was forced [...]
Manufacturers warn UK faces ‘tipping point’ on competitiveness January 12, 2026 The Labour government has been handed a major warning over the future of the manufacturing industry as the sector battles rising costs and pressures to shift business to shift overseas. A fresh survey from the sector’s industry body Make UK showed senior executives in manufacturing firms feared cost pressures would soon reach a “tipping point”. [...]
Triumph: Profit almost wiped out at iconic motorcycles maker January 5, 2026 Profit at iconic motorcycles maker Triumph has almost been wiped out thanks to US President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs and the cost-of-living crisis. The Derbyshire-headquartered business, which is owned by billionaire John Bloor, has posted a pre-tax profit of £2.2m for the year to 30 June, 2025. That figure is down significantly from the pre-tax [...]
Nissan loses £888m as major recovery plan accelerates January 5, 2026 The UK arm of car giant Nissan lost £888m during its latest financial year ahead of a major recovery plan taking effect, it has been revealed. The Sunderland-headquartered business has posted the pre-tax loss which is up significantly from the £67m it lost in the prior 12 months. Nissan said its latest accounts, filed with [...]
Activity in UK’s embattled manufacturing sector hits 15-month high January 2, 2026 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 [...]
Toyota warns of ‘challenging road ahead’ after profit falls £100m December 3, 2025 The UK manufacturing arm of Toyota has warned “the road ahead may be challenging” after its profit slumped by more than £100m during its latest financial year. The division of the Japanese giant said the “uncertainties of the automotive industry and infrastructure to support vehicle type” were the main factors behind its pessimism. However, Toyota [...]
Jaguar Land Rover: JLR loses almost £500m after cyber attack November 14, 2025 Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) lost almost £500m during the second quarter of its financial year as it battled the most expensive cyber attack in British history. The automotive giant has reported a loss before tax and exceptional items of £485m for the three months to 30 September, 2025. The figure compares to a profit of [...]
Manufacturers urge government to ‘get growth off the floor’ at Budget November 4, 2025 The manufacturing industry has warned the government to prioritise growth in the Budget as the sector fights back from a year-long downturn in the face of “existential threats.” Manufacturers have faced mounting pressures over the last 12 months as business costs soared in the aftermath of Labour’s first Budget before tariff uncertainty and persistently high [...]