ONS data shows slump in output
Manufacturing output has slumped for the first time in 2011 with latest ONS figures showing a 1.5% decrease from March to April.
Manufacturers blamed the extra Royal Wedding bank holiday in April and the ongoing fallout from the earthquake in Japan for the decline.
Output fell in 10 of the 13 manufacturing sub-sectors, ONS data showed. Transport and equipment industries and machinery and equipment were hardest hit with a 4.1% and 2.7% slump respectively.
Despite the stutter overall output for April are still up 1.3% on last year.
Food, drink and tobacco firms were one of the few sectors to register a positive period with output growing 0.9%.
The survey marks the second major study to highlight Wills and Kate's wedding and the Japan denting UK manufacturing.
May's disappointing PMI figures were also attributed to the events.
