The United Kingdom’s private sector lost momentum in March 2026, as the S&P Global Composite PMI eased to 51.0 from 53.7 in February. While the reading remains above the 50.0 threshold that separates expansion from contraction, the decline points to a clear slowdown in overall business activity.
The latest figure, updated on 24 March 2026, suggests that growth in both services and manufacturing has moderated compared with the previous month, when the composite index stood at a stronger 53.7. The softer March reading indicates that UK firms are still expanding, but at a more subdued pace as the first quarter draws to a close.
