Manufacturing output much higher than UK average

For the second consecutive quarter, production output is on the up in Northern Ireland. agendaNi reports.

Production output levels for Northern Ireland increased by 3.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2015, a much higher rate than the UK average rise of 0.2 per cent. The latest Index of Production statistics show the second consecutive quarterly increase in production for the months January to March 2015.

In the previous three month period, spanning October-December 2014, Northern Ireland’s output rose by 1.9 per cent and the UK’s by 0.2 per cent. This marked a return to growth following a fall in output in quarter three. Prior to that dip, there had been six consecutive quarterly increases in output.

In quarter one of 2015, the region’s index was at its highest level yet at 107.8 while the UK index remained at 10.2 per cent below its peak which was recorded back in quarter four of 2007.

Compared to the same time last year, Northern Ireland’s production levels jumped 5.1 per cent, again bucking the trend for the UK which recorded a lower rise of 1.0 per cent. Output increased by 3.6 per cent compared to the previous four quarters and the UK average increased by 1.4 per cent.

The seasonally adjusted index also reported a rise for manufacturing output of 4.0 per cent over the quarter in comparison to the UK average of 0.1 per cent.

Manufacturing output levels increased by 6.1 per cent compared to the same quarter one year ago. This again is well above the UK equivalent of 1.4 per cent. Manufacturing output levels rose by 4.3 per cent over the most recent four quarters compared to the same period previously. The UK average was 2.6 per cent for the most recent four quarters.

Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply index rose by 3.0 per cent over the quarter and fell by 2.2 per cent over the year. The UK reported a rise over the quarter of 2.8 per cent and over the year of 4.1 per cent.

Water supply and waste management output fell by 2.8 per cent, but rose by 0.1 per cent over the year. This was at odds with the UK where a rise was recorded both over the quarter and the year at 2.8 per cent and 4.1 per cent respectively.

Output from the mining and quarrying sector increased by 7.4 per cent over the quarter but recorded a fall of 1.5 per cent over the year. Recovery in this index for Northern Ireland is 34.8 per cent below the peak reached in quarter two of 2007. This is similar to the UK index which fell by 39.4 per cent over the same period.

Over the rolling four quarters, the only sector to show growth was manufacturing which increased by 4.3 per cent. The other sectors showed a decline – electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply and water supply fell by 1.1 per cent, mining and quarrying fell by 4.7 per cent, and the sewerage and waste management sector fell by 0.5 per cent.