Manufacturing production in the UK edged up by 0.1% month-over-month in May 2026, defying market expectations for a 0.2% decline but slowing from an upwardly revised 0.5% increase in the previous month. Output increased in seven of the thirteen manufacturing subsectors, led by gains in machinery and equipment (5.3% vs 0.7% in April), followed by computer, electronic and optical products (2.1% vs -0.1%), electrical equipment (1.3% vs -4.5%), and chemicals and chemical products (0.7% vs -1.3%). In contrast, the largest decline was recorded for basic metal and metal products (-2.7% vs 2.4%). Production was also lower for rubber and plastic products and non-metallic mineral products (-1.6% vs 1.3%) and other manufacturing and repair (-1.5% vs 0.3%). On an annual basis, manufacturing activity rose 2.3% in May, exceeding forecasts of a 1.9% increase and accelerating from a 1.0% rise in April. It marked the strongest growth since March 2024.