NW manufacturers power ahead with more growth in the pipeline
Manufacturers in the North West are powering ahead with a boost to overall economic prospects forecast from a period of greater political stability.
The findings come in the third quarter Manufacturing Outlook survey published today (September 16) by Make UK and business advisory firm BDO, which shows almost six in 10 companies (58%) believe that the recent change in government will lead to better economic growth overall in the next 12 months.
In contrast just six per cent of companies expect GDP to decline this year as a result of the new government.
According to the survey, business confidence in the North West is continuing to climb, reaching levels last seen at the beginning of the recovery from the pandemic.
The balance on output in the North West was +19% but is forecast to jump to +69% in the next quarter, the highest of any UK region.
Total orders are following a similar pattern, increasing from +50% to +69% in the next three months.
This boost to growth is resulting in strong recruitment intentions with companies looking to take on staff to cope with demand – the balance on recruitment increasing from +19% in Q3 to a forecast +56% in the next three months. Companies in the North West are also investing in line with taking on staff as the balance on investment has risen to +44%.
Make UK is forecasting that manufacturing will grow by 0.5% in 2024.
This is a downgrade from 1.2% forecast in the last quarter but is due to ONS revisions on which the forecasts are based. GDP is forecast to grow 1.1% in 2024 and 1.8% in 2025.
Dawn Huntrod, Region Director for Make UK in the North, said: “This is a very positive set of results for the North West which reflects the boost to stability provided by the new government.
“We now need to see this momentum maintained with a new industrial strategy and other measures in the Autumn Statement to boost growth, in particular investment in major infrastructure projects which will provide a long term return for the economy overall.”