UK September industrial output growth figures

It's not a good idea to go overboard about one good economic number, but the latest UK output figures  published this week by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) not only showed that Britain's industrial output grew at its fastest pace so far this year in September, but also represent six consecutive months of positive growth in output, which happens less frequently than you might think.

"Industrial production has risen for six consecutive months, a feat last achieved 23 years ago," said Samuel Tombs, chief UK economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics.

 Production rose by 0.7% compared with the month before, according to the ONS figures. Separate data showed the UK's trade deficit in goods and services narrowed by more than expected in September.

No complacency is due, we've a long way to go yet to earn the money to afford the world class public services we all want and to be able sustainably to increase real wages while paying down the huge increase in national debt since 1997. But let's not talk ourselves into doom and gloom either.


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