UK manufacturing output rose in July 2026, reversing the decline recorded in the previous month and coming in ahead of expectations.
Manufacturing production increased by 0.9% month on month, compared with expectations for a 0.2% rise. Output had fallen by 0.5% in June. The increase was spread across eight of the 13 manufacturing subsectors, pointing to a broader improvement in production during the month.
On an annual basis, manufacturing output rose by 2.6% compared with July 2025. This was above expectations for a 2.0% increase and up from annual growth of 0.5% in the previous period.
The July figure represented the strongest annual increase in manufacturing output since March 2024.
The wider industrial production data also improved. Total UK industrial output rose by 0.2% month on month in July, while expectations had pointed to a 0.2% decline. Industrial production had fallen by 0.2% in June.
The increase reflected stronger manufacturing activity and growth in some other parts of the industrial economy. Weakness elsewhere limited the overall rise.
On an annual basis, industrial production increased by 0.6% in July. Expectations had been for growth of 0.2%, while the previous reading showed a 0.2% decline.
The figures show that both manufacturing and broader industrial activity improved in July after weaker readings in June.
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