UK private sector activity drops in August for first time since early 2021

By

Sharecast News | 01 Sep, 2022

Activity levels in the UK's private sector fell over the preceding three months, marking the first decline since March 2021, a leading business lobby group said.

The Confederation of British Industry's Growth Indicator fell to a reading of -5% for the three months to August, from +8% for the quarter to July.

"The worsening cost-of-living crisis – set to escalate further when the new energy price cap comes into effect – is putting the brakes on private sector activity," said Alpesh Paleja, CBI lead economist.

"[...] With even tougher months ahead, it’s imperative that government acts decisively and at pace to support vulnerable households and businesses – and to lay the foundations for renewed economic momentum."

Distribution sales managed to buck the trend with the corresponding indicator rising from +3% to +7%.

However, that for business and professional services retreated from +19% to -1%, manufacturing output from +6% to -7% and consumer activity from -37% to -4%.

The pace of decline in activity was expected to accelerate over the following quarter to -12%, led by a worsening in business and professional services activity, a growth indicator for which fell to -16%.

Distribution sales and factory production meanwhile were seen broadly flat while at -29% the pace of decline in consumer services activity was seen slowing.

Last news