Manufacturing expands at fastest rate in three years
Manufacturing rose at its fastest rate in three years in April, according to Office of National Statistics (ONS).
Manufacturing output was up by 4.4% in the year to April 2014 and total production output increased by 3% in the same period.
The main manufacturing components contributing to the increase were rubber, plastic and other non-metallic mineral products; transport equipment; and food products, beverages and tobacco.
Total production increased by 0.4% between March 2014 and April 2014. Manufacturing increased at the same rate. The main contributors to the increase were transport equipment; computer, electronic and optical products; and rubber, plastic & other non-metallic mineral products.
Production and manufacturing are 11.3% and 7% respectively below the pre-economic crisis GDP peak reached in the first quarter of 2008.
