Britain’s Brexit-bound economy is showing little sign that its leaden performance in the first half of 2017 is improving much, despite hints of better times for manufacturers in data released.
Factory output increased at the fastest pace this year during July, but this was set against a sharp decline in the construction industry and another lacklustre month for trade.
The official figures suggested the world’s fifth-biggest economy continued to lag the strong recovery in the euro zone and is now growing slowly in the third quarter after suffering its slowest first half of the year since 2012.
Separately, the British Chambers of Commerce said the economy was “treading water” ahead of Brexit, adding that the pound’s sharp fall since last year’s vote to leave the European Union had done more harm than good.
That muted assessment was backed up by the official data which showed little help for exporters from sterling’s weakness.
“The economy is clearly under performing compared to what is going on globally and regionally, but weakness in growth does not appear to be intensifying,” JPMorgan economist Malcolm Barr said.
The Office for National Statistics said manufacturing output rose 0.5 per cent in July, above economists’ forecasts in a poll, after car production reversed a dip in the previous month.
But growth in the broader measure of industrial output slowed to 0.2 per cent, in line with forecasts as a lack of summer maintenance of North Sea oil fields boosted production more than usual for the time of year.
The data suggested that the Bank of England, which holds its next monetary policy meeting this week, will remain cautious about raising interest rates despite an inflation rate heading for 3 per cent, above its 2 per cent target.
Business surveys over the last week suggested manufacturers look set for a stronger end to the year, boosted by exports — especially to the European Union. Still, official data have yet to reflect this. The ONS said Britain’s trade deficit in goods edged up to £11.576 billion ($15.24 billion) in July, the biggest since March. Goods exports to the EU increased but this was offset by a fall in exports to the rest of the world. — Reuters
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