2026.04.1606:13:14UTC+00UK Industrial Output Rebounds More than Expected

Industrial production in the UK increased by 0.5% month-on-month in February 2026, beating market expectations of a 0.2% rise and rebounding from a 0.1% decline in January. Output in mining and quarrying recovered sharply, rising 3.9% after a 5.3% fall in January, supported by higher extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas (up 5.1%). Electricity, gas, steam, and air-conditioning supply also grew at a faster pace, expanding by 1.5% after stagnating in the previous month.

In contrast, manufacturing output slipped by 0.1%, reversing a 0.2% increase in January. The pullback was primarily driven by lower production of transport equipment (-2.1%), basic metals and metal products (-2.1%), and food products (-1.2%). Growth in water supply, sewerage, and waste management also moderated, easing to 0.2% from 1.5% in January.

On a year-on-year basis, overall industrial activity declined by 0.4%, following an upwardly revised 0.5% increase in the previous period.