Manufacturing helps output continue to rise
Production output rose by 0.5% between the third and fourth quarters of 2013, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
By far the largest contribution to the quarterly growth in production came from manufacturing, which increased by 0.7%.
The ONS said: "Looking at the broader picture, total production output was 1.8% higher in December 2013 compared with December 2012; reflecting a 1.5% rise in manufacturing; 2.6% rise in mining and quarrying; 7.9% rise in water supply, sewerage and waste management, and 3.0% fall in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning.
Production and manufacturing rose by 0.4% and 0.3% respectively between November 2013 and December 2013.
The ONS added: "The main manufacturing sectors contributing to the rise between November 2013 and December 2013 were the manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations; the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products, and the manufacture of food products, beverages and tobacco."
