ONS data shows that UK manufacturing output was unchanged in the three months to August 2025 compared with the previous three months to May 2025, as declines in 6 of the 13 subsectors offset gains elsewhere.
The largest falls were in the “manufacture of chemicals & chemical products” (-4.6%), “manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products & pharmaceutical preparations” (-1.6%), and “manufacture of rubber, plastics & other non-metallic mineral products” (-2.1%). These were offset by growth in “manufacture of computer, electronic & optical products” (+4.8%), “manufacture of machinery & equipment not elsewhere classified” (+1.4%), and “manufacture of electrical equipment” (+2.6%).
By subsector, capital goods output rose by +1.2% in the three months to August 2025 compared with the previous three months and was +1.5% higher than in the same period of 2024.
Among the four key industries, automotive output fell by -2.5% in the latest three months and was -5.8% lower than a year earlier.
Metal products remained weak despite links to machinery and transport equipment through subcontracting, and the inclusion of weapons and ammunition. Output was flat on the quarter and down -7.7% year-on-year.
Aerospace, by contrast, grew by +3.0% over the latest three months and was +7.1% higher than a year ago.
Finally, machinery output continued to strengthen, rising +1.4% on the previous period and +5.4% year-on-year.
You can download the ONS Statistical Bulletin from their web-site at https://www.ons.gov.uk/releasecalendar (16 October) or request it from MTA; we also have an analysis of the key industries which is available to members – please contact Martin Redhead ([email protected]) if you would like these charts.