Brexit stockpiling helped fuel a surge in British manufacturing output last month as firms sought to avoid being caught short ahead of what was supposed to be the UK’s departure from the EU. The Markit/CIPS UK manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) showed a reading of 55.1 last month compared with the 52.1 recorded in February. “Output, employment and new orders all rose at increased rates as manufacturers and their clients raced to build safety stocks. But the industry faces major headwinds as EU firms quit Britain and investment dries up. Mr Dobson said: “The survey is also picking up signs that EU companies are switching away from sourcing inputs from UK firms as Brexit approaches.

Source: Irish Examiner April 01, 2019 09:00 UTC