Commenting on today's IoP data, Ms Lee Hopley, Chief Economist at EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, said:

"While manufacturing output was unchanged in November a decent run of growth through the second half of last year left production levels at their highest level since July 2012, with some notable strengths through the year in basic metals, transport and chemicals.

"Taken together with the raft of more upbeat surveys since the start of the year there are good reasons to forecast a continued recovery across manufacturing this year. However, with production levels across much of industry still languishing below their pre-recession peak, policy makers need to be focusing on creating the right business environment to ensure the recovery is sustained this time."

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