UK Factory Output Picks Up as Tariff Fears Ease
British manufacturing grew at a faster pace last month, a closely watched survey showed, as the uncertainty over American tariffs that had weighed on industry began to lift. The improvement offered a rare piece of encouraging economic news for a government grappling with sluggish growth. Factories reported firmer orders and steadier confidence.
Manufacturing has had a torrid time, buffeted by weak demand, high energy costs and the on-off threat of tariffs from Washington that clouded export prospects. Signs that the trade turmoil is easing, together with the sharp fall in oil prices, could offer some relief to industry and to the wider economy. Yet the sector remains fragile, and one month’s figures do not make a recovery. The Chancellor will welcome any brightening of the picture before a Budget expected to bring hard choices. Watch whether the pickup is sustained or fades as global conditions shift.