Industrial output rises

Industrial production in the UK increased by 0.4% in November compared with the previous month, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics.

This is more than the 0.3% rise that economists had been expecting and gives weight to those that believe the country exited recession in the last quarter of 2009. However, manufacturing output showed no growth and six of the 13 manufacturing subsections saw monthly falls in output.

"At face value headline industrial production is not a bad number, but it is disconcerting that manufacturing went sideways," said Alan Clarke, economist at BNP Paribas.