ONS Production Output Report: October - Manufacturing Boosts Production Output by 0.5%
This summary is based on information from the Office for National Statistics’ Index of Production, UK: August 2024, highlighting recent trends in the UK’s production industries, including manufacturing, mining and quarrying, energy supply, and water and waste management.
Two men in suits discussing plans in a manufacturing factory
In August 2024, the UK’s production output rose by 0.5%, rebounding from a 0.7% decline in July 2024. This increase was primarily driven by manufacturing, which saw a 1.1% rise, alongside gains in water supply and sewerage (1.5%) and electricity and gas (1.2%). However, the positive growth was partially offset by a 4.0% decline in the mining and quarrying sector, with the extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas dropping by 4.2%.
Manufacturing showed robust growth, with nine out of 13 subsectors experiencing gains in August 2024. The most notable increases came from the manufacture of transport equipment and basic metals and metal products, which grew by 2.1% and 2.3%, respectively. Despite the strong performance in certain sectors, production output remained flat over the three months leading to August 2024. Gains in manufacturing (0.5%) and water supply and sewerage (0.3%) were offset by declines in mining and quarrying (1.7%) and electricity and gas (1.9%).
In summary, while the UK production industry experienced an encouraging uptick in August 2024, the sector still faces challenges, particularly in mining and quarrying. Manufacturing continues to strongly contribute to production growth, reflecting resilience and ongoing recovery in some subsectors. However, long-term stability in production output will likely depend on addressing weaknesses in energy supply and resource extraction.
Source: Index of Production, UK – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)
