Factory output weakening


Manufacturing output is weakening latest official figures show. 


Factory output contracted by 0.8% in the three-month period ending July compared with the previous three-month period; the June decrease was 0.3%.


There was a fall of 5.2% in the other machinery group. Other decreases included: 3.1% in electrical equipment and 2.8% in basic metals. 


On the plus side, output in computers and electronics increased by 2.7%.


Manufacturing output was up by 0.4% on the same three-month period a year ago. 


The more volatile monthly figures showed a 0.8% decrease in July compared with June. 


Output of the production industries (manufacturing, mining and utilities) was up by 0.3% on the previous three-month period, and up by 1.4% on the same period a year earlier. 


Production and manufacturing were 9.3% and 5.2% respectively below their figures reached in the pre-downturn peak in first quarter of 2008. 


www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_415960.pdf