Output falls 0.4%, ONS data reveals

The disappointing figures follow a 1.8% increase in output the previous month. Overall manufacturing output is still up 2.1% against last year. However production has now declined month on month on two separate occasions in 2011. Output decreased in eight of the 13 manufacturing sectors, figures revealed. The largest contributors to the decrease were the transport equipment industries which decreased by 1.7% and the paper, printing and publishing industries which decreased by 1.2%. The largest positive contribution to overall output was an increase of 4.1 per cent in the textiles and leather clothing industries. Industry leaders urged the government to step up support around exporting to aid for struggling manufacturing sectors. Mark Lee, head of manufacturing, Barclays Corporate said:"Until businesses in the UK start investing again in a meaningful way, industry's best hope is exporting. However, exporters still face many challenges." Lee added: "The UK Government may need to provide greater support to particular sub-sectors in a bid to build national champions in the manufacturing space, while pushing for the removal of the very real influence of unofficial protectionism within target markets."