Factory output higher

Latest official figures show manufacturing output expanded at the start of autumn.

Growth in manufacturing output in the three months to October was up by 0.5% on the previous three-month period. The expansion in output was an improvement the September period’s 0.3% growth.

The two subsectors contributing most to growth were computer, electrical and optical products where output was up by 2.9% and wood and paper products and printing with 2.5% growth.

On the downside, textiles, wearing apparel and leather products saw output slashed by 7.0% and electrical equipment saw a contraction of 4.2%.

Manufacturing growth for the latest three months was up by 2.3% on the same period a year ago.

The wider measure of industrial output (manufacturing, mining and utilities) saw growth of 0.4% in the three months to October and 1.1% growth on the same period a year earlier.

The latest figures provide some grounds for optimism. However, the reality, as the Office for National Statistics points out, is that manufacturing and production figures for October are 10.4% and 5.5% respectively below their figures reached in the pre-downturn peak in the first quarter of 2008.

www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_388131.pdf