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UK manufacturing revival halts in April UK manufacturing revival halts in April
(4 months later)
Britain's brief manufacturing revival came to a halt in April as output fell by 0.2%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said.Britain's brief manufacturing revival came to a halt in April as output fell by 0.2%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said.
Hopes that a pick-up in industry would lead to better-balanced growth in the UK were dented by figures showing the first decline in factory production in three months.Hopes that a pick-up in industry would lead to better-balanced growth in the UK were dented by figures showing the first decline in factory production in three months.
The ONS said falls in transport equipment, wood and paper products, and metals were the main factors behind the monthly drop, but added that in the three months to April – a better guide to the underlying trend – output was 0.5% higher than in the three months ending in January.The ONS said falls in transport equipment, wood and paper products, and metals were the main factors behind the monthly drop, but added that in the three months to April – a better guide to the underlying trend – output was 0.5% higher than in the three months ending in January.
April's small decline followed increases of 0.7% in February and 1.1% in March. Despite the stronger trend since the turn of the year, officials said factories were producing 10% less than they were in 2007, before the onset of the deep recession in early 2008.April's small decline followed increases of 0.7% in February and 1.1% in March. Despite the stronger trend since the turn of the year, officials said factories were producing 10% less than they were in 2007, before the onset of the deep recession in early 2008.
Firms found conditions tough in 2012, with the crisis in the eurozone compounding the impact of weak demand at home. Between February and April, manufacturing firms produced 1.2% less than in the same period of 2012.Firms found conditions tough in 2012, with the crisis in the eurozone compounding the impact of weak demand at home. Between February and April, manufacturing firms produced 1.2% less than in the same period of 2012.
Industrial production, which includes energy supply in addition to manufacturing, rose by 0.1% between March and April and by 0.8% in the latest quarter.Industrial production, which includes energy supply in addition to manufacturing, rose by 0.1% between March and April and by 0.8% in the latest quarter.
High demand for energy during the unusually cold March contributed heavily to the increase, but industrial production in the three months ending in April was 1.5% lower than a year earlier.High demand for energy during the unusually cold March contributed heavily to the increase, but industrial production in the three months ending in April was 1.5% lower than a year earlier.
Steep falls in North Sea output, down 40% in the past five years, has resulted in a fall of almost 20% in industrial production since its pre-recession peak.Steep falls in North Sea output, down 40% in the past five years, has resulted in a fall of almost 20% in industrial production since its pre-recession peak.
Jeremy Cook, chief economist at World First, the foreign exchange company, said: "Recent data from the UK has seen an air of steady, if modest, improvement. The overall growth profile remains one of 'bouncing along the bottom' rather than accelerating progress. Today's industrial and manufacturing numbers remind us, once again, that the path to continued, sustainable and strong growth will be a long one. Further help for these sectors is needed to secure a recovery."Jeremy Cook, chief economist at World First, the foreign exchange company, said: "Recent data from the UK has seen an air of steady, if modest, improvement. The overall growth profile remains one of 'bouncing along the bottom' rather than accelerating progress. Today's industrial and manufacturing numbers remind us, once again, that the path to continued, sustainable and strong growth will be a long one. Further help for these sectors is needed to secure a recovery."
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