UK producer input prices swung back into positive territory in January 2026, signalling a renewed rise in factory costs after a period of decline. The month‑over‑month PPI Input indicator climbed to 0.4% in January, up from -0.5% recorded in December 2025, according to data updated on 18 February 2026.
The shift from negative to positive growth suggests that the cost pressures faced by UK manufacturers have intensified at the start of the year. In December 2025, input prices had been falling on a monthly basis, but the latest reading shows that firms are now experiencing rising costs again relative to the previous month.
On a month‑over‑month comparison basis, the “actual” January figure reflects the change from December 2025 to January 2026, while the “previous” December reading captured the change from November to December 2025. The move from -0.5% to 0.4% will be closely watched by markets and policymakers for potential implications for inflation dynamics and corporate margins.
