After a sharp fall in December, British industrial output saw a return to growth, helped along by an upturn in manufacturing, the Office for National Statistics reported.
In the month of January, industrial output saw a weaker rise than expected, with 0.3% month-on-month in January, following a 1.1 percent drop in December. In a poll by Reuters, economists expected a 0.5% rise.
Despite failing to contribute to British economic growth last year, manufacturing saw a positive performance, with output in the sector seeing a 0.7% rise, which is the first increase for four months.
Industrial output was still 10.2% below its in early 2008 however, during the three months to January 2016, while manufacturing output was 6.4% smaller.
The monthly Markit/CIPS survey of British manufacturers found that the sector experienced an unexpectedly strong January.
In the second half of 2015, economic growth slowed, with economists saying that it could lose more momentum in early 2016. Economists also say that the EU referendum set to take place for Britain’s place within it will cause issues for growth.
Compared to a year ago, in January, industrial output saw a higher growth of 0.2%.
