Manufacturing output rose by the largest amount for more than two years before the terror attack on the US, official figures for Britain showed today.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed production in the sector rose by 1.4 per cent in August despite firms suffering a recession.
Far higher car production fuelled the jump, but the troubled electrical and optical equipment industry also recorded a positive month.
Despite the rise, the largest since July 1999, the manufacturing sector still contracted by 0.9 per cent in the three months to the end of August.
Moreover, analysts said the jump was likely to be a one-off until demand worldwide, and particularly from the US, begins to recover from the downturn.
Increased car production meant transport output in August rose by 5.5 per cent, the ONS said, and the electrical and optical equipment industry grew by 2.4 per cent.
But this industry still contracted by 5.8 per cent in the three months to the end of August, reflecting the troubles endured by mobile phone and semiconductor firms.
PA
