Economy

Commenting on today’s short-term economic indicator figures, senior statistician Ole Black said: 

“Manufacturing continued to grow strongly in the last three months of the year with metal goods and pharmaceuticals driving growth. However, overall production growth slowed due to the shutdown of the cracked Forties pipeline. 

“Construction was broadly flat across 2017, thanks to a strong December. However, house building and infrastructure were the only bright spots with all other areas of the industry falling back throughout the year. 

“The headline trade deficit widened in the fourth quarter with the impact of increased oil imports accentuated by rising crude prices.”

Short-term indicators economic commentary: February 2018

UK index of production: December 2017 

Construction output in Great Britain: December 2017

UK trade: December 2017

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