THE UK economy failed to reach top gear in October, as the manufacturing sector expanded but the construction industry continued to slump.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed construction output unexpectedly fell by 1.7 per cent on the month, as the industry was dragged down by a 1.5 per cent decline in new work.
The picture was also bleak for the three-month period to October, with output dropping by 1.4 per cent following a three per cent slide in repair and maintenance work.
However, contracts linked to the £56 billion HS2 rail line ensured new orders leapt by 37 per cent between July and September, brightening the outlook for the beleaguered sector.
The manufacturing industry expanded by 0.1 per cent in October as the wider industrial production came in flat.
ONS statistician Kate Davies said: "While manufacturing was relatively subdued overall in October despite record production of cars destined for export, the longer-term picture is one of strong growth."
She added: "Construction output continued to fall back from its peak at the start of the year, with both new building and repair work faltering once again."
Separate figures on UK imports and exports showed the total trade deficit widened by £300 million to £1.4 billion between September and October, as goods imports jumped 1.6 per cent.
Over three months to October, the trade deficit - excluding erratic commodities - expanded by £800 million to £6.9 billion, as goods imports rose by £3.3 billion and good exports climbed by £1.4bn.
The pound showed little movement following the slew of economic data, with sterling marginally lower against the US dollar at 1.34 and 0.3 per cent higher versus the euro at 1.14.
Howard Archer, EY Item Club's chief economic adviser, said: "Mixed news on the UK economy at the start of the fourth quarter, with the positives coming from healthy underlying manufacturing output and stronger exports in October but another sharp drop in construction output being a serious negative.
"The trade deficit widened modestly in October but decent export growth raised hopes that a competitive pound and healthy global growth could be having more of a positive impact."
The figures come after previously released data showed the UK economy accelerated to 0.4 per cent in the third quarter, with the lion's share of the expansion coming from the services and manufacturing industries.
However, economic growth is still struggling to bounce back to levels seen in the final quarter of 2016, when GDP rose by 0.6 per cent.
Dr Archer added: "We currently expect fourth-quarter GDP growth to come in at 0.4 per cent quarter on quarter again, but much will depend on how well the services sector performs and how much consumers spend over the crucial Christmas period."
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