The state of the UK manufacturing sector attracted further concern today after it emerged that output fell for a second successive month in December.
The report from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed output in manufacturing industries dipped by 0.2% between November and December, adding to the 0.1% decline reported for the previous month.
It was also weaker than the slight improvement forecast in the City.
Economists said the contraction reflected slowing domestic demand, higher oil prices and weaker export markets.
