Britain's private sector economy slipped into contraction territory for the first time since April 2025, as a sharper decline in service sector output more than offset accelerating manufacturing production.
The S&P Global UK Composite PMI fell to a 13-month low of 49.7 in May 2026, from 52.6 previously, according to final data published Wednesday. The flash estimate stood at 48.5.
Meanwhile, the services PMI was 49.3, compared with the previous 52.7 and the preliminary reading of 47.9. S&P said the final reading reflects "only a marginal decline" in the sector's output.