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Britain's manufacturing industry suffered a downturn last month as the crisis in the Red Sea affected global shipping routes.
The influential S&P Global/CIPS UK manufacturing PMI survey dropped to 49.1 in April, having hit a 20-month high of 50.3 the previous month.
Any reading above 50 means a sector is in growth, while a score below this means it is contracting.
Global shipping costs have risen dramatically in recent months as Yemen's Houthis continued their attacks on vessels in response to the Israel-Gaza crisis, rerouting cargo to longer and more expensive journeys round the southern tip of Africa.
Output, new orders and employment all fell, while input cost pressures increased at their fastest rate since February 2023, the survey found.
The drop reflected a range of rising energy and material costs, as well as increased wage bills at suppliers.
Other business surveys highlighted increased cost pressures last month, possibly reflecting a rise in Britain's minimum wage.
Selling prices rose at their fastest rate since May 2023, a point likely to be noted by the Bank of England ahead of its interest rate meeting next week.
The performance of manufacturing, which accounts for about 10 per cent of British economic output, contrasts with the much larger services sector, in which growth accelerated last month.
Joint strikes by US and UK forces this year have done little to deter the Houthis, who have launched more than 50 attacks on shipping, seized one vessel and sunk another since November, the US Maritime Administration says.
Shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined due to the threat, sending container costs soaring to levels not seen since the pandemic.
"[Manufacturing] is still besieged by weak market confidence, client destocking and disruption caused by the ongoing Red Sea crisis, all of which are contributing to reduced inflows of new work from domestic and overseas customers," said Rob Dobson, director at S&P Global Market Intelligence.
"The news on the prices front is also worrisome for those looking for a sustainable path back to target [consumer price] inflation, with cost pressures growing in industry and feeding through to higher selling prices at the factory gate."
The volume of new business placed with UK manufacturers declined over the month, with UK companies reporting signs of weaker domestic and overseas demand.
New export business declined for the 27th consecutive month, amid reports of weaker intake from Germany, Ireland, Asia and the US.
Meanwhile, average purchasing costs rose for the fourth successive month, with the rate of increase accelerating to its highest since February 2023.
Caroline Litchfield, partner and head of manufacturing and supply chain sector at Brabners, said: "Hopes of a recovery in the UK's manufacturing sector will need to be put on ice for now, as March's lift in activity proved an anomaly.
"Indeed, supply-side barriers including delays to raw material deliveries and high input cost rumble on.
"And while domestic demand has picked up, geopolitical instability has fractured supply chains globally – most notably with disruptions in the Red Sea causing congestion at Mediterranean ports – to restrict international orders."
TRAP
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Director: M Night Shyamalan
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
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Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
MATCH INFO
Bangla Tigers 108-5 (10 ovs)
Ingram 37, Rossouw 26, Pretorius 2-10
Deccan Gladiators 109-4 (9.5 ovs)
Watson 41, Devcich 27, Wiese 2-15
Gladiators win by six wickets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Infiniti QX80 specs
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On racial profiling at airports
Read more about the coronavirus
If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
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LA LIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Valencia v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Mallorca v Alaves (4pm)
Barcelona v Getafe (7pm)
Villarreal v Levante (9.30pm)
Sunday
Granada v Real Volladolid (midnight)
Sevilla v Espanyol (3pm)
Leganes v Real Betis (5pm)
Eibar v Real Sociedad (7pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (midnight)
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Engine 6.9-litre twin-turbo W12
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
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Fuel economy, combined 14.0L / 100km
