British manufacturing output unexpectedly shrank in May, official data showed today, making it less likely the economy returned to growth in the second quarter.
Manufacturing output fell 0.5% in the month in May versus expectations of a 0.2% rise. April's figures were revised down to show no change instead of the 0.2% rise initially reported. On the year, factory output fell 12.7%.
The wider industrial production measure, which accounts for 17.2% of the economy, also fell unexpectedly by 0.6% against forecasts of a 0.2% rise.
The worse than expected data are likely to boost expectations the Bank of England will expand its £125 billion sterling quantitative easing scheme later this week as it tries to pull Britain out of recession.
Some economists have been forecasting a turnaround in manufacturing and the wider economy following better survey data but these figures are likely to heighten concern the economy is still some way from a durable recovery.
The Office for National Statistics said the monthly fall in manufacturing was driven by a 2% decline in the paper, printing and publishing industries - sound recordings were particularly hit - and a 1.7% fall in the machinery and equipment industries.
