Manufacturing hinders UK growth
27 Oct 2015
The UK economy grew between July and September despite a lack of manufacturing production, statistics suggest.
Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal GDP increased by 0.5% in quarter three compared with 0.7% between April and June.
Recent challenges have been exacerbated by the sharp contraction in iron and steel
EEF economist Zach Witton
According to the ONS, manufacturing fell by 0.3%, with a lack of growth blamed partly on manufacturing sector remaining in recession.
“The weakness was broad based across the sector as recent challenges have been exacerbated by the sharp contraction in iron and steel and, signs of slower demand from the consumer sector,” said Zach Witton, deputy chief economist at the manufacturers’ organisation EEF.
Elsewhere, the water and waste management recorded growth of 1.2%, while the mining and quarrying industry grew by 2.4%.
