Rates of expansion eased for output, new orders and employment, in part reflecting a weakening in the pace of expansion of new work from abroad. On the price front, input cost and output charge inflation moderated and, although still elevated, are below the highs seen at the turn of the year.

The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers' Index fell to a 17- month low of 53.9 in April, down from 54.9 in March. The PMI has signalled expansion in each of the past 21 months.