UK factory orders rise in December

Factory orders in the UK reached a three-month high in December, but manufacturers still expect their output to contract mildly over the next three months, according to a survey from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

The survey showed manufacturers’ order book balance rose to -7 compared with -11 the previous month.

Rain Newton-Smith, director of economics at the CBI, said: “Manufacturers are still having a tough time of it with output slipping and exports remaining a weak spot in spite of an improvement at the end of the year."

“But there is a pick-up in orders from previous months which could be a sign of light at the end of the tunnel."