UK manufacturers have enjoyed faster growth in output volumes over the three months to November, and their order books are strong amid healthy export business resulting partly from sterling weakness, a survey shows.
Subtracting the proportion reporting total order books were worse than usual from that saying they were better, a net 17 per cent of UK manufacturers declared they were above normal, in the Confederation of British Industry survey. This was the best reading since August 1988. A net 20 per cent of firms reported above-normal export order books – the highest balance since June 1995.
A balance of 28 per cent of respondents reported a rise in output volumes for the three months to November. A net 14 per cent had posted a rise in output volumes for the three months to October.
But CBI head of economic intelligence Anna Leach said uncertainty continued to hold back investment.
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