Factory output up

Manufacturing output rose by 0.6% in the three months to November 2013 compared with the previous three-month period.

The largest upward contribution was in transport equipment, where output rose by 3.7%, while basic metals output was up by 3.5%. After a run of three decreases in the three-monthly figures, output in pharmaceuticals increased by 2.2%, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Manufacturing output in the latest three-month period was 2.0% up on the same period a year ago.

Production output (manufacturing, mining and utilities) was up by 0.3% compared with the previous three-month period and was 2.6% up on the same three-month period in 2012.

The more volatile monthly figures showed both manufacturing and production flat in November compared with October, but up by 2.8% and 2.5% respectively on the same month in 2012.

www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/iop/index-of-production/november-2013/stb-iop-nov-2013.html