The S&P Flash UK PMI data shows that the UK Manufacturing PMI rose from 52.5 in June to 52.8 in July, with the Manufacturing Output Index hitting a 22-month high of 53.6. An uptick in manufacturing output is good news. But if businesses are stockpiling against future disruption rather than responding to stronger customer demand, the recovery has shallow foundations.

Our pulse of the UK’s electrotechnical manufacturers, which generates £14 billion for the UK economy, shows us that manufacturers have capacity to grow further, but need to see stronger consumer demand.

To drive more output, we need greater consumer uptake, but we also need a regulatory framework that enables long-term infrastructure investment planning. Giving manufacturers and network operators greater certainty over future network investment will unlock confidence across the supply chain, accelerating electrification, strengthening energy security and helping deliver net zero.