ONS data shows that UK manufacturing output fell by -0.7% in the three months to October 2025 compared with the three months to July 2025, with six of the thirteen sub-sectors contracting.
The main contributors to the decline were “manufacture of transport equipment”, which fell by -8.7% largely due to a -17.7% drop in “manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers & semi-trailers”; “manufacture of chemicals & chemical products”, which declined by -2.4%; and “manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products & pharmaceutical preparations”, which fell by -1.0%. These decreases were partly offset by growth in “manufacturing of computer, electronic & optical products” (+3.0%), “other manufacturing & repair” (+2.5%), and in “manufacture of machinery & equipment n.e.c.” (+2.0%).
By subsector, capital goods output fell by -1.7% in the three months to October 2025 compared with the previous three-month period and was -1.0% lower than in the same period of 2024.
Among the four key industries, automotive output recorded a sharp -17.7% fall on the previous three months and was -23.1% lower than a year earlier, partly reflecting the impact of the JLR cyber-attack in late August. Metal products rose by 0.6% over the latest three months but were -7.2% down year-on-year. Aerospace output increased by +0.3% over the period – slower than usual – yet remained +7.5% higher than a year ago. Machinery output continued to strengthen, rising +2.0% on the previous period and +7.8% year-on-year.
You can download the ONS Statistical Bulletin from their web-site at https://www.ons.gov.uk/releasecalendar (12 December ) 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.