LONDON, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Britain's manufacturing sector continued recovery in December 2025, with the seasonally adjusted manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) rising to a 15-month high, data released by S&P Global showed on Friday.
The S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI stood at 50.6 in December, above the neutral 50.0 mark separating growth from decline. The figure rose from 50.2 in November, but was below the earlier flash estimate of 51.2, according to the data.
Specifically, output rose for the third successive month and new orders increased for the first time since September 2024. Rob Dobson, director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said UK manufacturers benefited from several reduced headwinds towards the end of the year, including the moderation of the negative impacts of the uncertainty surrounding the Autumn Budget and U.S. tariffs.
Domestic market was the main growth spur for new orders, as intakes of new work from overseas contracted for the 47th successive month in December, the data also showed.
"The start of 2026 will show if growth can be sustained after these temporary boosts subside," Dobson commented. "The base of the expansion needs to shift more towards rising demand and away from inventory building and backlog clearance," he said, noting that December's interest rate cut will hopefully play some part in assisting this transition by encouraging manufacturers and their customers to increase spending and investment.
However, business confidence about the year ahead outlook dipped from November's nine-month high in December, with manufacturers reporting sustained concerns about high costs, increased taxation, reduced international competitiveness, geopolitical uncertainty and the possible impact of government policy, according to the company. ■