Exports boost UK manufacturing output
Boosted by the export of machinery and cars, the UK manufacturing sector appears to be moving into more positive territory, according to the latest official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
In March, the ONS Index of Production showed manufacturing output rising by 1.1%, with the largest upward contributions coming from the manufacture of basic metals and metal products.
The new figures now show a modest fall in output of 0.3% for the first quarter of 2013 when compared with the previous three months, while over the 12 months to March 2013 the fall was 1.4%.
A March rise in the manufacture of machinery and a quarterly and yearly rise in the manufacture of transport equipment were, said ONS, partially due to an increase in new export orders.
Commenting on the data, Lee Hopley, chief economist at the manufacturers' organisation EEF, said the data pointed to "encouraging gains across the board, with almost all sectors posting some growth and ongoing strength in transport and electrical equipment sectors."
