Manufacturing output rises

Manufacturing output rose by 1.2% in the month, reversing a 1.2% drop a month earlier. The wider measure of industrial production (which also includes mining and quarrying and energy supply) increased by 0.9%. The ONS said the relatively strong performance from manufacturing meant industrial production increased by 0.6% over the third quarter of the year. David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "The stronger than expected recovery in September will boost confidence in the manufacturing sector. However, in the latest three months manufacturing has virtually stagnated compared with this time last yea, and the sector's share of GDP has declined over recent years. Nevertheless, we remain cautiously optimistic about the sector's ability to recover despite the tough economic environment at home and abroad. "Many firms have retained their skill bases during the financial crisis and can begin to innovate and enter new markets. But the future success of our manufacturing sector will rely on active government support for exporters and an improvement in the availability of finance for growing firms."