UK industrial output rises unexpectedly

British industrial output rose unexpectedly in April for the first time since February 2008, official data showed today.

The Office for National Statistics said industrial output rose 0.3 per cent on the month, compared with analysts' forecasts for a fall of 0.1 per cent.

On the year, industrial production was 12.3 percent lower.

Manufacturing output rose 0.2 per cent on the month in April, again an unexpected rise and following revised figures showing a similar rise in March which was the first increase since February (not March) 2008.

The figures are likely to reinforce expectations that Britain's economy is emerging from recession, although there is still some uncertainty about how sustainable any recovery will be.

The ONS said revisions to previous industrial output figures would have no impact on first quarter GDP, which showed a fall of 1.9 per cent on the quarter.

In separate data, the ONS said Britain's total goods and services trade deficit with the rest of the world widened to its largest since September last year.

The total trade deficit swelled to £3.014 billion in April from £2.716 billion in March.