UK risks empty shelves as manufacturing hit by economic mismanagement

Responding to the news that UK factory output fell for the third month running in September, Peter Norris, Co-Convenor of the UK Trade and Business Commission and Chair of Virgin Group, said:

"Alongside the inflationary pressures which have triggered the cost-of-living crisis, British manufacturers are also hard hit by the economic instability engendered by the Government’s new fiscal policies. Coming at a time when the trading difficulties posed by the Brexit deal continue to become more stifling, it is no surprise that the confidence of both companies and consumers alike is slumping.

"As well as thinking again about their fiscal approach, the Government must urgently address continued serious transportation difficulties, port disruptions and labour shortages or risk barren shelves this Christmas."