UK manufacturing output declined by 0.5% month-on-month in December 2025, reversing part of a downwardly revised 1.9% rise in November, which had been a nine‑month high. The result fell short of market expectations for no change.
This was the first monthly contraction in manufacturing since September and reflected declines in eight of the thirteen manufacturing subsectors. The largest negative contributions came from basic pharmaceuticals (-2.6%), food products (-1.4%), and chemical products (-5.0%). Output also dropped in wood and paper products and printing (-2.8%), transport equipment (-1.1%), and other manufacturing and repair (-2.0%).
These falls were partially offset by gains in some high‑tech categories: production of computer, electronic and optical products rose 5.6%, while electrical equipment output increased 4.9%.
On an annual basis, manufacturing output grew 0.5% in December, slowing from a downwardly revised 1.3% increase in November and undershooting market forecasts for a 1.8% rise.
