The UK’s total order book balance crashed to -38 in April 2026 from -27 in March, missing expectations of -30 and hitting its lowest level since October 2025, according to the CBI. The reading now sits far below its long-term average of -14. Meanwhile, expected price pressures soared to +32 from +12 in March, marking the sharpest monthly jump since records began in 1975, driven by the Iran war’s economic ripple effects. Business optimism collapsed, with the quarterly outlook measure plunging to -65 (from -19 in January). Investment plans for buildings, machinery, and training also weakened to their lowest since April 2020.