UK factory orders hit four-year high

Survey reveals manufacturing growth rebounding with surge in orders across the sector in November despite Brexit concerns.

Britain’s factories are enjoying the best business conditions for more than four years as strong demand at home and abroad boosts order books, production and jobs.

Comfortably beating expectations in the City, the monthly health check of industry from the research firm IHS Markit and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply was the most upbeat for the sector since the summer of 2013.

The purchasing managers index – seen as a guide to the performance of manufacturing in the months ahead – rose from 56.6 in October to 58.2 in November, with all parts of manufacturing in upbeat mood. IHS said it was the 10th best showing in the survey’s 26-year history.

Rob Dobson, director at IHS Markit, said: “UK manufacturing shifted up a gear in November, with growth of output, new orders and employment all gathering pace. On its current course, manufacturing production is rising at a quarterly rate approaching 2%, providing a real boost to the pace of broader economic expansion.

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