London leads UK private — sector growth in September, NatWest report shows

London led UK regional business growth in September, with its Business Activity Index easing to 53.7 from 54.9 in August. Employment rose for the first time since October 2025, posting its strongest increase in almost two years despite declining nationally. New orders increased for a fourteenth consecutive month, but growth slowed to its weakest pace in that period. Export conditions improved at the fastest rate in four-and-a-half years, supporting business confidence that remained above the UK average. Higher fuel and energy costs accelerated increases in business expenses, prompting firms to pass some costs to customers through higher selling prices. 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 October 16, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. (C)