Stock levels at UK manufacturers fell to record lows in August, and one reason for the decline was a lack of plastics, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI, London; www.cbi.org.uk). It said manufacturers “reported that stock adequacy worsened to its weakest on record (since April 1977), marking the third month in a row in which a new record-low outturn has been set. The weakness in stock adequacy was driven by the electronic engineering and plastic products sub-sectors”.

And the situation could worsen, notes Alpesh Paleja, the CBI’s lead economist: “Many firms are feeling the pinch from ongoing supply chain disruption, which also partly explains the continued strength in pricing pressures. Despite the rebound in activity, ongoing disruptions could choke off future manufacturing growth.”

However, the more than 260 manufacturing firms that were polled this month said growth is expected to pick up over the next three months.

Meanwhile, McDonald’s has told media outlets that it has stopped serving bottled drinks and milkshakes at its UK restaurants due to supply shortages.