The CBI commented on the Index of Production data for March which showed a 2% rise compared with the previous year. Ian McCafferty, CBI Chief Economic Adviser, said: “This data provides encouraging signs of a broad-based recovery within the manufacturing sector, supported by the competitive level of Sterling and improving economic conditions.

“Our recent Industrial Trends Survey points to further solid growth in manufacturing output in the months ahead, with both domestic and external demand expected to strengthen somewhat.”