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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Phillip Inman

UK factory output slumps at fastest rate since May 2020

A worker prepares an electric battery
A worker prepares an electric battery at Envision’s ‘gigafactory’ in Sunderland. Many firms said clients had postponed, rescheduled or cancelled orders. Photograph: Richard Saker/The Guardian

UK factory production slumped in August at the fastest rate since the early Covid-19 pandemic lockdown month of May 2020 after manufacturers suffered a sharp reversal in new orders from domestic and overseas customers.

Analysts said a manufacturing recession had begun after firms reported that clients had “postponed, rescheduled or cancelled agreements” in response to economic uncertainties, soaring inflation and component shortages.

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