UK Manufacturing Order Books Hit Strongest Since 2023

The total order books balance rose to -9. The CBI September Industrial Trends Survey put that balance up from -25 in August—the strongest since July 2023 and above the market expectation of -34. The gauge rose 36 points over two months, the strongest two-month increase in the survey's 49-year history. Output volumes improved to a weighted balance of -4 from -17, the slowest pace of decline since the quarter to July 2025; manufacturers expect a further fall at -6 through December. Expected selling prices eased to +12 from +22. Export order books stood at -9, above the long-run average of -19. Finished-goods stock adequacy fell to +2. The survey covered 234 manufacturers, with output down in 12 of 17 sub-sectors. CBI senior economist Cameron Martin said there are growing signs that conditions are stabilising for manufacturers, with a marked improvement in order books for the second consecutive month taking them to their strongest in more than three years, output now falling only marginally, and selling price expectations eased considerably from the highs seen following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East. He said it is still too early to call this a sustained recovery, with manufacturers continuing to face high supply chain, energy and employment costs, and that with the Budget fast approaching government has an opportunity to build on these tentative signs by removing legacy policy costs from all business electricity bills and raising the employer National Insurance Contribution secondary threshold. CONTESTED: Single-sourced from the CBI survey; no factual dispute appears in the rated coverage.