This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/7819761.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
UK manufacturing declines sharply UK manufacturing declines sharply
(3 days later)
UK manufacturing output fell at its fastest pace since 1981 in November, official figures showed, underlining the fragile state of the economy.UK manufacturing output fell at its fastest pace since 1981 in November, official figures showed, underlining the fragile state of the economy.
Output fell 7.4% from a year earlier - the biggest drop since June 1981. On a monthly basis, the fall was 2.9%, the Office for National Statistics said.Output fell 7.4% from a year earlier - the biggest drop since June 1981. On a monthly basis, the fall was 2.9%, the Office for National Statistics said.
The news is likely to reinforce expectations that policymakers need to do more to stave off a deep recession.The news is likely to reinforce expectations that policymakers need to do more to stave off a deep recession.
The Bank of England cut interest rates to 1.5% on Thursday, a 315-year low.The Bank of England cut interest rates to 1.5% on Thursday, a 315-year low.
James Knightley, an economist at ING said that the UK economy could shrink by around 3% this year.James Knightley, an economist at ING said that the UK economy could shrink by around 3% this year.
We are in a very painful recession Robert Peston, BBC business editor Read Robert Peston's blogWe are in a very painful recession Robert Peston, BBC business editor Read Robert Peston's blog
"Industrial output has now fallen for nine straight months, which is the worst run of data since 1980, so the pressure for further stimulus will continue," he said."Industrial output has now fallen for nine straight months, which is the worst run of data since 1980, so the pressure for further stimulus will continue," he said.
Bad timesBad times
The weak figures hit the pound, which briefly fell against the euro and the dollar.The weak figures hit the pound, which briefly fell against the euro and the dollar.
Paul Dales, UK economist at Capital Economics, said that manufacturing was likely to continue to plunge despite the weaker pound, which should make UK goods more competitive on international markets.Paul Dales, UK economist at Capital Economics, said that manufacturing was likely to continue to plunge despite the weaker pound, which should make UK goods more competitive on international markets.
"It's not a good time to be in industry," he said."It's not a good time to be in industry," he said.
Industrial production accounts for around a fifth of our economic output, says the BBC's business editor Robert Peston.Industrial production accounts for around a fifth of our economic output, says the BBC's business editor Robert Peston.
He said the figures confirmed that the UK was in a very painful recession.He said the figures confirmed that the UK was in a very painful recession.
This week, car manufacturer Nissan said it would cut around 1,200 jobs, a quarter of the workforce at its Sunderland plant, and china and glass group Waterford Wedgwood went into administration.This week, car manufacturer Nissan said it would cut around 1,200 jobs, a quarter of the workforce at its Sunderland plant, and china and glass group Waterford Wedgwood went into administration.
Data released at the same time showed that producer output prices were unchanged in December from November, although analysts had expected a fall.Data released at the same time showed that producer output prices were unchanged in December from November, although analysts had expected a fall.
Input prices fell 2% due to falling raw material costs.Input prices fell 2% due to falling raw material costs.

Are you involved in manufacturing? Are you affected by issues raised in this story?
Send your comments using the post form below.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
Name