Manufacturing decline expected

The manufacturing sector is expected to show its first annual decline in output for three years when 2012 figures are published next month.

Data published yesterday by the CSO detailed a provisional 2.1% monthly fall in industrial production in November and a 6.8% year-on-year fall.

Provisional December and full-year figures are not scheduled until next month, with final data due in March; but the first full-year decline in output — since 2009 — is now expected.