MONTHLY DATAMonthly Data Watch (UK): October 2026 issue
Figures through September 2026 (as published on October 23, 2026). We show only the latest values, month-on-month and year-on-year changes and 24-month charts, taken from the publishers' own releases. Series descriptions and quarterly figures are on the UK page.
| Series | Latest month | Value | Month on month | Year on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machine tool imports (HMRC) Total imports | August 2026 Preliminary | 44.2 £ million/month | −6.5% | +32.5% |
| Machine tool exports (HMRC) Total exports | August 2026 Preliminary | 21.7 £ million/month | −27.1% | −16.3% |
| Machinery production index (ONS) Production index (SIC 28) | August 2026 Preliminary | 96.4 index (2024=100) | −10.4% | +2.8% |
| Machine tool producer prices (ONS) Producer price index (CPA 28.41) | September 2026 Preliminary | 129.9 index (2015=100) | −0.1% | −2.3% |
| Tool producer prices (ONS) Producer price index (CPA 25.73) | September 2026 Preliminary | 107.9 index (2015=100) | −0.1% | +1.3% |
1. Machine tool imports (HMRC)August 2026 (preliminary)
Monthly total value of metal-removal machine tools imported into the UK (HS 8456–8461: laser and EDM machines, machining centers, lathes, drilling and milling machines, grinding machines, gear cutting machines, etc.). Not seasonally adjusted. As there are no domestic statistics on machine tool orders, we show this as a guide to domestic equipment demand. Source: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC, trade statistics, uktradeinfo)
Total imports
44.2£ million/month
Month on month −6.5%Year on year +32.5%
From the EU
19.1£ million/month
Month on month −32.3%Year on year +4.4%
From outside the EU
25.0£ million/month
Month on month +32.0%Year on year +66.8%
As of this issue, figures have been published only through August 2026 (figures for the month before last come out in the middle of each month, e.g. August figures in mid-October; earlier months may be revised in later releases).
Sources by month (1)
- September 2024 – August 2026 (published, preliminary): HMRC, “Overseas Trade Statistics” (uktradeinfo API, OTS, CN8 84560000–84619999, Open Government Licence v3.0)
For details, see History of British machine tools (measurement, and life today at research centers).
2. Machine tool exports (HMRC)August 2026 (preliminary)
Monthly total value of metal-removal machine tools exported from the UK (HS 8456–8461: laser and EDM machines, machining centers, lathes, drilling and milling machines, grinding machines, gear cutting machines, etc.). Not seasonally adjusted. Source: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC, trade statistics, uktradeinfo)
Total exports
21.7£ million/month
Month on month −27.1%Year on year −16.3%
To the EU
11.5£ million/month
Month on month −28.6%Year on year −32.6%
To outside the EU
10.2£ million/month
Month on month −25.3%Year on year +15.3%
As of this issue, figures have been published only through August 2026 (figures for the month before last come out in the middle of each month, e.g. August figures in mid-October; earlier months may be revised in later releases).
Sources by month (1)
- September 2024 – August 2026 (published, preliminary): HMRC, “Overseas Trade Statistics” (uktradeinfo API, OTS, CN8 84560000–84619999, Open Government Licence v3.0)
For details, see History of British machine tools (measurement, and life today at research centers).
3. Machinery production index (ONS)August 2026 (preliminary)
Volume index for SIC 28 (general- and special-purpose machinery, i.e. machinery in general, including machine tools 28.4) within the UK Index of Production. Original series without seasonal adjustment (CVM NSA). Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS, Index of Production)
Production index (SIC 28)
96.4index (2024=100)
Month on month −10.4%Year on year +2.8%
As of this issue, figures have been published only through August 2026 (figures for the month before last come out in the middle of each month, e.g. August figures in mid-October; the previous month is revised in the following month's release, and past figures are revised in the Blue Book every autumn).
Sources by month (1)
- September 2024 – August 2026 (published, preliminary): ONS, “Index of Production” time series K26N (IOP: 28 Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c.: CVMNSA) (published 2026-10-15, Open Government Licence v3.0)
For details, see History of British machine tools (measurement, and life today at research centers).
4. Machine tool producer prices (ONS)September 2026 (preliminary)
Producer price index (ex-factory prices) of metalworking machinery shipped to the UK domestic market (CPA 28.41: metal-removal machines such as lathes, machining centers and grinding machines, and forming machines such as presses). Not seasonally adjusted. Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS, Producer Price Index)
Producer price index (CPA 28.41)
129.9index (2015=100)
Month on month −0.1%Year on year −2.3%
Sources by month (1)
- October 2024 – September 2026 (published, preliminary): ONS, “Producer price inflation” time series EWKY (PPI INDEX OUTPUT DOMESTIC - C2841 Metal forming machinery, 2015=100) (published 2026-10-21, Open Government Licence v3.0)
For details, see History of British machine tools (measurement, and life today at research centers).
5. Tool producer prices (ONS)September 2026 (preliminary)
Producer price index (ex-factory prices) of tools shipped to the UK domestic market (CPA 25.73: cutting tools for machine tools such as drills, milling cutters, tool bits and inserts, plus hand tools and dies and molds). Not seasonally adjusted. Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS, Producer Price Index)
Producer price index (CPA 25.73)
107.9index (2015=100)
Month on month −0.1%Year on year +1.3%
Sources by month (1)
- October 2024 – September 2026 (published, preliminary): ONS, “Producer price inflation” time series EW7M (PPI INDEX OUTPUT DOMESTIC - C2573 Tools, 2015=100) (published 2026-10-21, Open Government Licence v3.0)
For details, see History of British machine tools (measurement, and life today at research centers).
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there machine tool order statistics for the UK?
- No monthly order statistics are published, and the MTA industry association's figures are for members only. We therefore use HMRC imports of machine tools (HS 8456–8461) as a guide to domestic equipment demand; for August 2026 they were £44.2 million (+32.5% year on year).
- Is the UK production index for machine tools only?
- No. ONS does not publish a monthly production index for machine tools alone (SIC 28.4), so we use the volume index for machinery as a whole (SIC 28), which includes machine tools. For August 2026 it was 96.4 (2024=100).
- Is the UK tool PPI for cutting tools only?
- No. CPA 25.73 covers cutting tools for machine tools (drills, milling cutters, turning tools, inserts and so on) as well as hand tools and dies. ONS has no monthly price index for cutting tools alone.
- When are the UK figures released?
- Trade statistics and the production index for the month before last are complete in the middle of each month, and the producer price index for the previous month late in each month. Earlier months may be revised in later releases.