Industrial production in the UK fell by 0.9% month-on-month in May 2025 from a 0.6% drop in the previous month, defying market expectations of a flat reading. Output declined for mining and quarrying (-3.2% vs 3.5% in April), while growth slowed for water supply, sewerage, and waste management (0.8% vs 1.4%). Production also continued to fall for manufacturing (-1.0% vs -0.7%), particularly in the manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products, transport equipment, and basic metals and metal products. Meanwhile, output rebounded for electricity, gas, steam, and air-conditioning supply (0.3% vs -6.0%). On an annual basis, industrial production fell by 0.3% in May 2025, reversing an upwardly revised 0.3% rise and defying market expectations of a 0.1% gain.