The latest CBI Industrial Trends Orders report, updated on April 24, 2025, indicates a modest improvement in the UK manufacturing sector. The new figures report a rise in the industrial orders index to -26 in April, following a previous level of -29 in March.
The uptick suggests a brightening outlook for the sector as the decline in orders appears to have moderated. The CBI's index has long been a reliable gauge of the health of the UK's manufacturing industry. With a lesser negative value, the current numbers show a slowing of contraction within the sector.
While the figures remain in negative territory, the lessening rate of decline could indicate a gradual rebound in demand amidst challenging economic conditions. Manufacturers and investors alike will be closely monitoring these numbers, which continue to provide a snapshot of the economic climate and the manufacturing industry’s adaptability in the face of ongoing global challenges.
