UK industrial production down more than expected in May

By Mucahithan Avcioglu

ISTANBUL (AA) - Industrial output in the UK contracted 0.9% month-on-month in May, more than expected, according to official data released on Friday.

The figure accelerated from a 0.6% monthly fall in April, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed.

Markets had expected the figure to post a fall of 0.1% in May.

The fall in monthly output was driven by declines in manufacturing (1%) and mining and quarrying (3.2%).

But production in water supply and sewerage rose 0.8% and electricity and gas climbed 0.3% month-on-month.

"9 of the 13 manufacturing subsectors saw a fall in May 2025, with the largest negative contribution coming from 'basic pharmaceutical products' (down 4.2%); with other negative contributions from 'transport equipment' (down 1.3%) and 'basic metals and metal products' (down 1.8%)," the ONS said.

The largest positive contribution was from "machinery and equipment not elsewhere classified" (up 3.4%), partially offsetting the monthly fall in manufacturing.

On an annual basis, production contracted 0.3% in May, below market forecasts of a 0.1% rise.