英国制造业面临成本上升需求低迷双重压力

Group 1 - The UK manufacturing sector's improvement over the past three months has reversed in August, with the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) dropping from 48 in July to 47, marking 11 consecutive months of contraction [1] - Domestic and overseas market demand is declining at the fastest rate in nearly two years, as indicated by the August PMI data [1] - The total order volume for UK manufacturing in August fell below July levels and significantly below long-term averages, with export orders also declining more than in July [1] Group 2 - Input cost pressures for UK manufacturers are rising, with the input cost price index increasing from 57.0 in July to 57.7 in August due to higher minimum wage and national insurance tax rates [2] - Despite rising input costs, non-food retail prices in the UK are shrinking, making it difficult for manufacturers to pass on these costs to consumers, as non-food prices fell by 0.8% year-on-year in August [2] - The output price index for manufacturers decreased from 55.6 to 53.7, indicating that manufacturers are absorbing additional costs rather than raising prices [2] Group 3 - The UK manufacturing sector is facing a dual challenge with insufficient domestic market demand and rising costs, with no signs of relief in sight [3] - Domestic market demand is weak due to persistent inflation, exemplified by a 14% year-on-year drop in domestic car sales in July [3] - Exports to the US have also significantly declined, with a £700 million drop in goods exports in July, representing a 14.5% decrease, the lowest level since February 2022 [3] Group 4 - The UK government's tax increases have exacerbated cost pressures in the manufacturing and service sectors without alleviating fiscal pressures [4] - The outlook for UK manufacturing remains challenging due to weak demand, trade friction, and increased policy uncertainty [4] - The upcoming autumn budget is seen as a critical moment for boosting business confidence, with calls for certainty in corporate tax and support for industrial and infrastructure strategies [4]