According to the CBI’s latest Growth Indicator, UK firms across the private sector expect activity to fall in the next three months (weighted balance of -20%), extending a run of negative predictions that began in late 2024. The downturn is expected to be broad-based, with business volumes in the services sector set to decline (-18%), driven by weak expectations in both business & professional services (-14%) and consumer services (-31%). Distribution sales are expected to fall significantly (-33%), alongside a contraction in manufacturing output (-14%). The disappointing outlook comes as private sector activity declined in the three months to September (-32%). All sub-sectors reported falling activity. To read the CBI’s news release, go to https://www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre/articles/private-sector-expects-activity-to-fall-through-fourth-quarter-of-2025-cbi-growth-indicator/.