UK manufacturing orders shrink at fastest rate since 2020, CBI says

June 23, 2026 7:16 AM EDT

A member of staff works on the production line at Jaguar Land Rover’s factory in Solihull, Britain, December 15, 2022. REUTERS/Phil Noble

June 23 (Reuters) - British ‌manufacturing orders ​deteriorated ​this month at the fastest rate since September 2020 during the COVID-19 ‌pandemic, according to a survey on Tuesday ⁠that showed little immediate relief from the easing of ‌tensions in the Middle ‌East.

The Confederation of British Industry's (CBI) monthly order books balance fell to -45 in June from -41 in ​May, its lowest ebb since the COVID-19 pandemic.

It gauge of expected output for ⁠the next three months fell to its lowest since December 2024.

The ​CBI's survey contrasted with figures published earlier on Friday by S&P Global, which ​showed manufacturing orders rising ‌and the much larger services sector falling deeper into contraction this month.

"Manufacturers ⁠are facing an increasingly difficult trading environment, with order books now at their weakest since 2020 and output continuing ⁠to fall," said Cameron Martin, CBI senior economist.

Like the S&P ​Global survey, the CBI reported an easing of price pressures from manufacturers, although they remained elevated.

Martin said the ‌re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz would help British manufacturers.

"But it ‌will take time for energy prices and supply ⁠chains to normalise even under ‌the best of circumstances, while ​the potential for further instability is clear," Martin added.

(Reporting by Andy Bruce; editing by Suban ‌Abdulla)



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