Manufacturing production in the UK grew by 0.9% month-on-month in July 2026, surpassing market expectations for a 0.2% rise and rebounding from a 0.5% fall in June. Output increased in eight of the thirteen manufacturing subsectors, with the largest positive contribution coming from the manufacture of computer, electronics and optical products (5.2% vs -0.9% in June), followed by basic metals (2.8% vs -2.8%), coke and refined petroleum products (1.2% vs 0.4%), and food products, beverages and tobacco (0.9% vs 1.0%). In contrast, production declined mainly for rubber and plastic products and non-metallic mineral products (-3.0% vs 0.4%), machinery and equipment not elsewhere classified (-1.5% vs -0.1%), and wood and paper products and printing (-1.2% vs -1.3%). On an annual basis, manufacturing activity increased by 2.6% in July, the fastest rise since March 2024, above forecasts of 2% and accelerating from a 0.5% gain in the preceding period.