- Britain's manufacturing sector recorded its largest monthly increase in input prices for over 30 years in March, largely attributed to the Iran war's impact on supply chains.
- The S&P Global UK manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) showed that manufacturing production contracted for the first time in six months, with the index falling to 51 from 51.7.
- Delivery delays worsened significantly, reaching their longest extent since mid-2022, as the Middle East conflict necessitated re-routing ships around the Strait of Hormuz.
- Almost half of manufacturing companies reported increased purchase prices, and job cuts within the sector were the steepest recorded since last September.
- Despite the contraction in production, new orders demonstrated resilience by rising for the fourth consecutive month, suggesting current challenges are more supply-driven than a downturn in demand.
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