Manufacturing production measures the output of businesses operating in the manufacturing sector. It is the most important sector in the UK and accounts for 70 percent of total production. The biggest segments within Manufacturing are: Food, drink and tobacco (11 percent of total production); transport equipment (9 percent); basic metals (8 percent); other manufacturing and repair (6 percent); pharmaceutical products and preparations (6 percent); and rubber and plastic products and non-metallic mineral products (6 percent).
A higher than expected figure should be seen as positive (bullish) for the GBP while a lower than expected figure should be seen as negative (bearish) for the GBP.