March data highlight that the COVID-19 outbreak has already dealt the UK economy a more severe blow than at any time since comparable figures were first available over 20 years ago. The latest IHS Markit/ CIPS Flash UK Composite PMI® was compiled between 12-20 March 2020. The combined monthly decline in output across manufacturing and services exceeded that seen even at the height of the global financial crisis, with the IHS Markit/CIPS Flash Composite PMI falling almost 16 points since February 2020. At 37.1 in March, down from 53.0 in February, the seasonally adjusted IHS Markit / CIPS Flash UK Composite Output ... (full story)