According to a report released by the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS), in April this year the UK's seasonally adjusted production index of manufacturing fell by 0.5 percent compared with April 2012 and was down by 0.2 percent compared to March following two consecutive month-on-month increases during February and March. According to the ONS, the main manufacturing components contributing to the month-on-month fall in April were transport equipment, wood and paper products and basis metal and metal products.
In the UK, the seasonally adjusted production index of basic metal and metal products rose by one percent in April compared to April 2012 and was down 1.4 percent compared to the previous month, following a revised month-on-month rise of 2.8 percent in March.