British industrial output jumps

LONDON, Apr 8 (AFP): Industrial output across Britain rose by a robust 0.9 per cent in February compared with activity in January, official data showed on Tuesday, cementing the country's economic recovery.

And over 12 months, output jumped by 2.7 per cent, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) added in a statement. Manufacturing output-which excludes mining and quarrying, electricity, gas and water supply-grew by 1.0 per cent in February compared with January. It increased by 3.8 per cent year-on-year, the ONS said.

Samuel Tombs, economist at the Capital Economics research group, said the figures "provide reassurance that the economic recovery has remained strong and broad-based" in Britain.

He added: "February's industrial production figures confirm that the recovery in the manufacturing sector still has plenty of momentum.

"The solid 0.9-per cent monthly rise in industrial production-the largest for eight months-largely reflected a 1.0 per cent increase in manufacturing output."