Output, new orders and jobs in the sector fell to a four-month low in May, according to closely watched economic data.

Clients are switching to local sourcing to avoid the post-Brexit trade complications, the PMI survey found.

The closely-watched S&P Global/ CIPS UK Manufacturing PMI survey showed a reading of 47.1 in May, down from 47.8 in April.

Supply-chain pain caused by the UK’s split from the European Union still lingers for British manufacturers and retailers trying trade with the rest of Europe and beyond.

UK companies have seen their new orders decline at the fastest pace for nearly two years this month, with manufacturing recording the steepest fall in export sales since May 2020 as firms experienced Brexit-related constraints, a survey shows.

'The Covid veil, now almost completely lifted, has revealed the challenges still faced by exporters struggling with customs and paperwork challenges and other Brexit constraints putting off overseas customers'

One in five businesses are importing Christmas stock already to avoid potential Brexit chaos.

Growth slows as overseas companies buy elsewhere amid uncertainty, survey suggests. / Britain's manufacturing sector suffered a slowdown in growth in April as Brexit resulted in an acceleration of foreign firms shunning the UK and sourcing goods from elsewhere.

Stockpiling to prepare for Brexit caused a record jump in the amount of goods held by UK factories, according to a survey.

When asked about the major challenges facing UK negotiators in the trade talks, 39 per cent said the UK has a weak negotiating position.