The UK manufacturing outlook deteriorated further in April, as the CBI Industrial Trends Orders balance dropped to -38, down sharply from -27 recorded in March 2026. The latest reading, updated on 23 April 2026, underscores mounting pressure on British manufacturers amid weakening demand.
The deeper negative balance indicates that a larger share of firms reported below-normal order books compared with the previous month, amplifying concerns about the sector’s near‑term momentum. Coming on the heels of March’s already subdued -27 reading, April’s figure suggests that order pipelines are thinning rather than stabilising.
With the CBI Industrial Trends Orders survey often viewed as an early signal for production and investment intentions, April’s data will likely sharpen market focus on upcoming manufacturing and growth indicators, as well as policy responses aimed at supporting the UK’s industrial base.