Commenting on today’s PMI data, Lee Hopley, Chief Economist at EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation said:
“It was a better than expected outturn for manufacturing activity in August, but the sub-50 reading still signals contraction. UK manufacturing is facing tough times as external demand looks fragile. However, with signs that some recruitment is still taking place amongst SMEs there is hope that companies have a bit more confidence about their medium term prospects. Taken together with another round of awful data from Europe, the outlook for export-focused manufacturers, and hopes of an export-led economic recovery, continue to look pretty challenging.”