Factory Outlook: UK manufacturers expect output to stay broadly flat through January after a decline, while orders continue to weaken. Costs remain high, competitiveness is slipping and skills shortages have reached their highest level since January 2025. EV Market: EU battery-electric registrations jumped 72.9% in September to 290,117, while petrol and diesel registrations fell. Tesla and BYD both posted strong gains. Clean-Tech Investment: The European Commission is funding 77 net-zero projects, and EU support has been approved for LFP battery-cell factories in Spain and Poland. Circular Manufacturing: Aliplast has opened a rigid-plastics recycling plant in Modena, Italy. Defence Manufacturing: Britain has restarted large-calibre gun-barrel production in Telford after a 20-year gap, making barrels and breeches for 120mm and 155mm systems. Food Industry: French manufacturers and farmers oppose plans to extend the sugar tax from soft drinks to all sugary foods, including factory-made bread and confectionery, as the beet harvest is forecast to fall 30%.