Britain's industrial output fell 0.4 per cent in January from the December level, data showed yesterday.

Industrial production sank by 3.8 per cent in January on a 12-month comparison, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

Market expectations had been for a monthly increase of 0.2pc and an annual decline of 3.2pc, according to analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires.

Manufacturing output, which excludes mining and quarrying, as well as the electricity, gas and water supply sectors, rose 0.1 per cent in December from November, and by 0.3 per cent on an annual basis, the ONS added.-TradeArabia News Service