A BETTER than expected performance by manufacturers provided a ray of sunshine for the UK economy, but experts warned it may be a false dawn.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed a 1.2% rise in manufacturing output between April and May, defying expectations of a further deterioration following the shock 0.7% drop the previous month.
Meanwhile, separate figures showed the UK's trade deficit narrowed from £4.1 billion to £2.7bn in May, as exports increased at their fastest pace for more than two years, boosting hopes that the sector can help the UK emerge from its double-dip recession.
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