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UK industrial and manufacturing output dips during May | UK industrial and manufacturing output dips during May |
(about 1 hour later) | |
UK industrial output fell by 0.5% in May compared with April, raising concerns about its prospects following the EU referendum. | |
Three of the four major industrial sectors declined, with the biggest contraction in manufacturing, according to the Office for National Statistics. | |
Analysts warned the outlook for UK industry remained "cloudy". | |
Chris Williamson of Markit said manufacturers were increasingly worried about Brexit-related uncertainty. | |
He said the decline in May was less painful than had been expected, but there were now "serious doubts" it could be sustained. | |
On an annual basis industrial output was up by 1.4% on May 2015. | |
And in the three months to May, output grew by 1.9% at its quickest pace in six years. | |
'Export boost' | |
Manufacturing output was down 0.5% month-on-month in May, but was ahead by 1.7% year-on-year. | |
As well as manufacturing the industrial sectors of mining and quarrying, and electricity and gas also declined month-on-month, but the water and waste management sector experienced growth. | As well as manufacturing the industrial sectors of mining and quarrying, and electricity and gas also declined month-on-month, but the water and waste management sector experienced growth. |
"While the steep drop in sterling seen since the referendum should provide a boost to exports, more important for the longer-term prospects for manufacturing is the extent on the UK's access to the single market can be maintained," said Mr Williamson. | |
The trade deals that the UK negotiates with other key export markets will also be crucial, he said. |
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