• NatWest’s July Growth Tracker showed business activity rose in 10 of 12 UK regions, versus three in June.
• London led with a 55.3 Business Activity Index; South East followed at 53.2; Northern Ireland at 51.4.
• Scotland contracted at 47.3; Yorkshire & Humber slipped to 49.1, the only other region below the 50 growth line.
• Input cost inflation eased across all regions, reducing upside risks to headline inflation and lowering the chance of near-term rate hikes.
• Backlogs fell in 11 regions, signaling limited capacity strain; business expectations improved across most areas for the year ahead.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Natwest Group plc published the original content used to generate this news brief on August 12, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.