UK factory growth slows to weakest in 18 months as business optimism falls

Supply bottlenecks, cost pressures and softer demand hit British industry

Growth in UK factories' order books and output has slowed to its weakest in 18 months as cost pressures, supply bottlenecks and softer demand hit British industry.

The latest update on manufacturing from the CBI found business optimism fell for a third quarter running amid signs that the strong expansion of the past year has come to an end.