14.05.202606:19:49UTC+00UK Industrial Output Falls Less Than Expected

UK industrial production declined by 0.2% month-on-month in March 2026, reversing a downwardly revised 0.3% increase in February but performing slightly better than market forecasts of a 0.3% fall. The overall contraction was largely driven by weaker output in mining and quarrying (-2.3% vs +4% in February) and in electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply (-4.3% vs +0.9%), while water supply, sewerage and waste management activity also fell further (-1.6% vs -0.2%).

By contrast, manufacturing output rose to a four-month high, expanding 1.2% after a 0.2% decline in February. The rebound was mainly supported by recoveries in transport equipment (2% vs -2.1%) and basic metals and metal products (2.1% vs -1.7%), along with a continued increase in basic pharmaceutical products and preparations (2.1% vs 0.5%).

On an annual basis, industrial output was unchanged, following an upwardly revised 0.5% drop in the previous month and falling short of market expectations for a 0.2% increase. Over the first quarter of 2026 as a whole, industrial production edged up by 0.2%.