Record exports drive UK manufacturing sector

Domestic manufacturing sector sees sharpest increase in total new business since 2004, reaching 15-year high in March with record increase in export orders

UK manufacturing reached a 15-year high in March, with a record increase in new export orders, according to April data from the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI). Other figures released last week show signs of improvement in leading indicators in Europe. The April PMI survey  from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) revealed the manufacturing sector saw the sharpest increase in total new business since January 2004. UK manufacturing employment growth increased at the fastest rate since February 2007. There was also growth in the UK construction sector, which sa...