Manufacturers raise UK growth forecasts However, it said that manufacturing would contract by 0.7pc this year before expanding by 1.9pc next year through continuing growth in exports. It said the pace of job losses is expected to be "very modest" this year and into 2014, while the eurozone "poses less of a risk to UK growth prospects." The CBI said optimism was rising among smaller manufacturers but activity remained weak. New orders fell in the three months to July, despite expectations for growth, with exports falling for a fifth consecutive quarter. Companies expect demand to improve and production to stabilise over the next quarter, but they remain concerned about the global economic outlook.