Further decline for the manufacturing industry

The UK's manufacturing output declined for the 11th consecutive month, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics.

The output of manufacturing industries fell by 2.9% between December and January with the transport equipment sector suffering the largest fall in the sector of 10%.

"The critical priority is to ensure that the vital skills base within manufacturing is not lost during this recession. Urgent measures are needed to help viable and well-managed firms hold on to their trained and skilled employees," said David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce.

The Confederation of British Industry recently revealed that last month demand for UK manufactured goods dropped to its lowest level since 1992.

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