Markit Economics released its manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the U.K. on Monday. The Markit/Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply manufacturing PMI for the U.K. declined to 51.9 in December from 52.5 in November. November's figure was revised down from 52.7.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion.

The decline was driven by a slower pace of the growth in output and new orders.

"The UK manufacturing sector ended 2015 on a disappointing note, with its rate of growth slowing further from October's recent high back down towards the stagnation mark. This suggests that industry will make, at best, only a marginal positive contribution to broader economic growth in the final quarter of the year," Markit's Senior Economist Rob Dobson said.