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The UK manufacturing activity slid into contraction at the start of the second quarter as improvement in output and new orders were short-lived amid uncertain market conditions, client destocking and supply chain disruptions. The S&P Global final manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index fell to 49.1 in April from a 20-month high of 50.3 in March, survey results showed on Wednesday. The score was

UK house prices declined unexpectedly in April, reflecting affordability pressures amid rising longer term interest rates, data published by the Nationwide Building Society revealed on Wednesday. House prices posted a monthly decline of 0.4 percent after easing 0.2 percent in March. Prices were expected to climb 0.1 percent.

UK mortgage approvals increased to a one-and-a-half year high in March as the impact of higher interest rates waned, data published by the Bank of England showed on Tuesday. Net mortgage approvals for house purchases increased to 61,300 in March from 60,500 in February. This was the highest since September 2022 and also above the expected level of 61,000.

British consumer sentiment improved in April on slowing inflation as well as expectations about further tax cuts, a monthly survey conducted by the market research group GfK revealed Friday. The consumer confidence index rose to -19 in April from -21 in March. The score was also better than economists' forecast of -20.