Rise in manufacturing output continues

Manufacturing posted its 11th consecutive three-monthly rise in the quarter ending September, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Output was up by 1.0% on the previous quarter, following on from rises of 0.7% in the three-month period to August and 0.9% for July.

Growth was strong in two sectors: textiles, leather and clothing posted a 3.9% rise; and basic metals and metal products output was up by 2.7% on the second quarter of 2010.

The index of manufacturing was up by 5.3% on same three-month period a year earlier.

Meanwhile, the production industries (manufacturing, utilities and mining) saw output up by 0.6% in the third quarter of the year on the previous quarter and by 3.3% on the same quarter a year ago.

The more volatile monthly figures show manufacturing output increased by 0.1% between August and September. Output increased in 10 of the 13 manufacturing sub-sectors, fell in two, with one sub-sector flat. The largest increases in output were in the machinery and equipment industries which rose by 21.0% and the basic metals and metal products industries which rose by 12.6%.

Manufacturing output was up by 4.8% in September 2010 compared with the same month a year ago.

www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/iop1110.pdf