Output in the sector contracted at the fastest pace (36.3) since February 2021, when the UK was last in lockdown.
The drop was caused by demand – represented by new orders – falling for a fourth consecutive month (38.5) as consumers reined-in discretionary spending amid rising inflation.
Overall, five of the 14 UK sectors tracked saw output grow in September (vs three in August), while the same number saw new orders grow (vs three in August).
Elsewhere, the tracker showed that overall input cost inflation for businesses intensified in September for the first time since May (77.4 vs 76.6 in August).
