Now British factories are beating the French

THE UK has overtaken France in the manufacturing rankings as the weak pound boosts exports.

Our factories produce £184billion of goods a year – the eighth highest in the world.

That is up from ninth 12 months earlier, overtaking France which produces £179billion of goods.

China remains the world’s largest industrial nation followed by the US, according to United Nations figures analysed by manufacturing group EEF.

Paul Brooks, of Santander Corporate and Commercial, said: ‘With strong manufacturing figures reported from across the country, it is crucial that we continue to support manufacturers in all regions of the UK.’ Manufacturing output is driven by food and drink, accounting for 16 per cent, then chemicals and pharmaceuticals, and transport – both 14 per cent.

The North West was the biggest regional powerhouse, producing more than £24billion of goods a year.

It comes as figures show the volume of goods sold overseas by UK manufacturers rose by 9 per cent in a year.

EEF said earlier this month that more companies are seeing output and orders increase than at any time since 1995 as exports go from ‘strength to strength’.

Whisky, salmon and beer helped UK food exports reach a record £10.2billion during the first half of the year.