Manufacturing downturn continues as clients cut costs

A closely-watched survey found the manufacturing sector declined for the eighth month in a row in April.

Activity for UK manufacturing firms fell last month in the face of subdued demand and customers’ cutting costs, according to an influential survey (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Archive)

Activity for UK manufacturing firms fell last month in the face of subdued demand and customers cutting costs, according to an influential survey.

The S&P Global/CIPS UK Manufacturing PMI fell to a three-month low of 47.8 in April, down slightly from the 47.9 scored in March.

Any score below 50 is considered a decline for the sector.