Manufacturing posts welcome output rise

Manufacturing posted the eighth consecutive quarter-on-quarter rise since the third quarter of 2009.

Output rose by 0.2% in the third quarter of 2011 compared with the previous quarter of the year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The main rises were 2.7% in pharmaceuticals, 2.3% in the transport equipment industries and 1.8% in machinery and equipment manufacture.

Again, on a more positive note, manufacturing output was up by 2.1% on the same period a year ago.

The volatile monthly figure showed an annual rise of 2.0% in September 2011 — the strongest month for growth since May. The ONS said output increased in six of the 13 manufacturing sub-sectors, fell in five and was flat in two.

The index of production, covering manufacturing, mining and utilities, posted a 0.8% fall in the third quarter compared to the previous quarter.

Meanwhile, production was up by 0.4% on the third quarter 2010, but down by 0.7% on September last year.

www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_241673.pdf