Factory output slump continues as orders fall

THE downturn in UK factory production worsened last month due to a fall in new orders and export businesses a result of trade tensions, according to new figures.

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The S&P Global UK manufacturing PMI survey, watched closely by economists, showed a reading of 47.0 in August, slowing from 48.0 in July.

Any reading above 50 indicates that activity is growing while any score below means it is contracting.

It was marginally worse than expected, with economists having predicted a reading of 47.3.