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FILE PHOTO: Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves attends a conversation with U.K. CEO of GroupM Karen Blackett, at a fringe meeting during the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Britain, September 23, 2024. REUTERS/Phil Noble.
Sentiment among British manufacturing companies fell at the fastest pace in two years ahead of finance minister Rachel Reeves' first budget next week, a survey showed on Thursday.
The Confederation of British Industry's measure of business sentiment dropped in the three months to October to -24% from -9% in the three months July.
Factories also reported easing cost pressures which rose at their slowest pace in four years.
(Reporting by Suban Abdulla Editing by William Schomberg)