Factory output up in first quarter

Manufacturing output put on a spurt in early 2014, according to official figures.

It increased by 1.4% in the first quarter of 2014 compared with the final quarter of 2013 and was 3.5% higher than the same quarter 2013, the Office for National Statistics said.

The top three sub-sector increases in output were: 7.3% in rubber and plastic products; 3.8% in “machinery and equipment not classified elsewhere”; and 3.4% in and food, beverages and tobacco.

Downward contributions to output included the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products, which fell by 7.2% and basic pharmaceuticals products and preparations with a 5.8% drop.

The production industries (manufacturing, mining and energy) posted a 0.7% quarter-on-quarter increase and a 2.5% increase on the same quarter of 2013.

www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_362320.pdf