UK economy on brink of recession as Truss takes over

The monthly business survey, which is closely watched by the government and the Bank of England for early warning signs from the economy, found growing worries over soaring inflation and a marked reduction in confidence among firms.
According to the monthly health check from S&P Global and the Cips, cost pressures facing businesses remained at extremely elevated levels, linked to rising prices for energy and fuel as Russia’s war in Ukraine further drives up costs on the wholesale market. Unlike households, businesses do not benefit from an energy price cap.
“The incoming prime minister will be dealing with an economy that is facing a heightened risk of recession,” said Chris Williamson, the chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, with the British economy facing a “deteriorating labour market and persistent elevated price pressures linked to the soaring cost of energy”.
The monthly purchasing managers’ index from S&P/Cips fell to 49.6 in August, down from 52.1 in July. Any reading above 50 suggests growth in private sector activity.
Meanwhile, separate figures from the retail industry showed a slowdown in sales growth last month as shoppers tightened their belts.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said total sales grew at an annual rate of 1% in August, down from 2.3% in July, thanks to sluggish clothing sales as summer events ended and consumers cutting back on buying white goods and other big-ticket items.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said urgent support for households and businesses was required from the new prime minister.
“With some predictions of inflation reaching 20% in the new year, households and retailers are preparing for a particularly tough time ahead,” she said.
Hot weather helped to encourage stronger spending growth on some items last month, including suntan lotion, while food and drink sales for summer barbecues rose by 5% compared with a year earlier.
However, economists said storm clouds were looming for retailers were bracing for a fall in demand from hard-pressed households.
Don Williams, a retail partner at the accountancy firm KPMG, said: “Worryingly, August data revealed a significant fall in clothing sales – the category which has been the most robust performer this year which could signal the start of shoppers pulling back from non-essential spending.”
The figures come as some economists suggested Britain’s economy slipped into recession this summer as households tightened their belts amid the cost of living crisis.