LONDON: British manufacturing output rebounded more than expected in January to rise at its fastest monthly pace in 10 months, after firms made up for a weather-related drop in output in December, official data showed on Thursday.
The Office for National Statistics said manufacturing output rose 1.0 percent in January, more than reversing a 0.1 percent fall in December, and the strongest rate of growth since March 2010. Analysts had expected an increase of 0.8 percent.
Output in the broader industrial sector also rose slightly more than expected, by 0.5 percent on the month, but was tempered by a 6.2 percent fall in utilities output, which reversed a cold-weather boost in December.
The figures indicate the economy is rebounding from a shock 0.6 percent contraction at the end of last year, but is unlikely to alter expectations that the Bank of England will leave interest rates at their record low 0.5 percent when the Monetary Policy Committee concludes its two-day rate-setting meeting at 1200 GMT.
The ONS said 10 of the 13 manufacturing sub-sectors recorded growth on the month and one of the main drivers was an increase in non-metallic mineral products which posted a 9.9 percent rise, rebounding from a sharp drop in December.
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