Business news live: UK manufacturing shrinks for fifth month in a row amid Brexit turmoil

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Manufacturing slumped to a seven-year low in the UK in August (AFP/Getty)

The UK's manufacturing sector shrank for the fifth month in a row, with output, orders and employment all shrinking, a new poll suggests.

IHS Markit's purchasing managers index (PMI) found that emp[loyment in manufacturing fell at its fastest pace since February 2013.

House prices also dipped unexpectedly in September as uncertainty around Brexit dampened activity, according to Nationwide’s index.

The live blog has ended.

Key Points

• House prices fall in UK as Brexit uncertainty intensifies
• 'Grim' news for UK economy as manufacturing slump continues
• Greggs sales growth slows and Brexit threatens to push up labour costs
• Argos boss quits to join ad giant WPP​
• Unions celebrate 'landmark victory' for Harland and Wolff workers
• JD Sports' £90m deal to buy Footasylum referred for full investigation

[1 October 2019 16:32 · ben.chapman]

Brexit: Nissan to rethink future of Sunderland plant in event of no-deal

Japanese car maker Nissan will review its decision to build the Qashqai 4x4 in England if Britain leaves the EU without a deal, potentially leading to the closure of the Sunderland plant, the Financial Times reported.

“While we don’t comment on speculative scenarios, our plans for Qashqai production in Sunderland have not changed,” a company spokesperson said.

Nissan has already cancelled plans to make the next model of its X-Trail in Sunderland, saying in February that uncertainty over Brexit was making it harder to plan for the future. It decided to produce the vehicle solely in Japan.