Record boom for British exports

BRITISH manufacturers are enjoying their longest unbroken run of expansion for more than 20 years as the weak pound boosts exports, official figures showed yesterday.

In another sign that the economy continues to flourish following the vote to leave the European Union, factory output has increased for six months in a row for the first time since records began in 1997.

Record car production was the driving force behind the latest upturn, according to the Office for National Statistics, amid booming demand for Britishmade cars around the world.

A separate ONS report showed exports of British goods have hit a record high, with sales to countries outside the European Union again outstripping those to the Brussels-run bloc.

And in a further boost, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research said that the total economic output in the UK increased by 0.5 per cent in the three months to the end of November.

Howard Archer, chief economic adviser to the Ernst &

Young Item Club, said the manufacturing sector was ‘ very much the bright spot for the UK economy’.

Kate Davies, of the ONS, said: ‘While manufacturing was relatively subdued overall in october despite record production of cars destined for export, the longer-term picture is one of strong growth.’

The figures came just a day after a report by HMRC showed exports of goods have risen in every region of the UK this year as the weak pound turbo-charged demand for englishmade cars, whisky from Scotland, dairy products from Wales and machinery from Northern Ireland.