UK private sector remains stable in Q4 despite economic uncertainty

UK Private Sector
UK Private Sector

The UK private sector activity was stable in the quarter to December, according to the latest CBI Growth Indicator.

The composite measure – based on 609 respondents across the distribution, manufacturing and service sectors – showed the balance of firms reporting a rise in output at +3%, broadly unchanged from +2% in the three months to November.

Falling services volumes were partially offset by strong manufacturing growth and steady distribution growth, underpinned by a solid expansion in wholesaling and motor trades. Meanwhile, retail volumes fell at the fastest pace since November 2014 in the three months to December.

Looking ahead private sector activity is expected to remain steady over the three months to March (-1%), with declining services volumes set to continue alongside slower distribution and manufacturing growth.

The latest CBI Growth Indicator is consistent with slow and steady growth momentum as detailed in our December economic forecast. Underlying conditions remain lacklustre, with household spending under persistent pressure from squeezed real earnings and Brexit uncertainty restraining business investment.

CBI www.cbi.org.uk

Company

CBI

Related Articles
Most recent Articles

Renishaw highlights career pathways in engineering

There is not one singular blueprint that can lead to a career in the engineering industry. It offers a variety of roles, open to people from diverse backgrounds. To highlight the diversity of skills and experiences in engineering, global engineering technologies company, Renishaw, has created the ‘Employee perspectives’ series.
23 hours ago News

Login / Sign up