UK manufacturing strengthens in June
Strong growth of output, new orders and more jobs have rounded off a robust second quarter for UK manufacturing.
June's PMI of 57.5 was the second highest reading in 40 months, bettered only by last November's 57.8.
What's more, new orders flowed in at the fastest rate since November and manufacturers took on staff at the quickest pace since March 2011, although output growth slowed slightly and input costs rose for the first time since January.
Lee Hopley, chief economist at EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, said: "The latest PMI continues the positive run for manufacturing seen so far this year and, the pick-up in activity in June signals a strong second quarter.
"So far this year it's been the domestic market that had been a particular source of strength but, we should be encouraged that new orders from overseas markets are now coming through.
