Rise in factory output at end of 2013

Manufacturing output increased by 0.7% in the final quarter of last year, official figures show.

The increase on the third quarter was mainly due to increased output in pharmaceuticals (+4.0%), rubber and plastics (+2.5%) and metal products (+2.2%).

On the downside, wood, paper and printing output was down by 1.4% and food, beverages and tobacco by 1.3%.

Factory output increased by 1.9% on the fourth quarter 2012, the Office for National Statistics said.

Based on the more volatile monthly figures, factory output increased by 0.3% in December on November and was 1.5% up on December 2012.

The index of production (manufacturing, mining and utilities) increased by 0.5% in the final quarter of 2013 on the previous quarter and by 2.3% on the same quarter 2012.

The monthly figures for December showed a 0.4% increase on November and 1.8% increase on December 2012.

www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/iop/index-of-production/december-2013/stb-iop-dec-2013.html