1. Main points
Total production output decreased by 0.7% for the three months to October 2019, compared with the three months to July 2019; this was led by manufacturing output, which fell by 0.7%, followed by falls in mining and quarrying (2.6%) and electricity and gas (1.0%).
The three-monthly fall in manufacturing is because of widespread weakness, with 9 of the 13 subsectors providing downward contributions; this was led by pharmaceutical products (4.5%), machinery and equipment (1.9%), and chemicals and chemical products (2.3%).
Production output rose by 0.1% between September 2019 and October 2019, with electricity and gas providing the largest upward contribution (2.4%), followed by manufacturing (0.2%); these were partially offset by downward contributions from mining and quarrying (4.2%) and water and waste (1.2%).
The monthly increase of 0.2% in manufacturing output is because of upward contributions from 8 of the 13 subsectors; this was led by pharmaceutical products (2.1%).
For the three months to October 2019, production output decreased by 1.5%, compared with the same three months to October 2018; this was led by a fall in manufacturing of 1.5%, followed by falls in mining and quarrying (6.4%) and electricity and gas (0.7%).
2. Production
Figure 1: Manufacturing provided the largest negative contribution, followed by mining and quarrying and electricity and gas
Contributions to the Index of Production quarter on previous quarter, seasonally adjusted, UK, October 2019
Source: Office for National Statistics – Index of Production
Notes:
- Weights for main Index of Production sectors are: Sector B – Mining and quarrying (4.7); Sector C – Manufacturing (74.9); Sector D – Electricity and gas (10.9); and Sector E – Water and waste (9.5).
Download this chart Figure 1: Manufacturing provided the largest negative contribution, followed by mining and quarrying and electricity and gas
Image .csv .xlsTotal production output for the three months to October 2019 fell by 0.7%, compared with the three months to July 2019. This was mainly because of manufacturing output falling by 0.7%, led by widespread weakness throughout the sector, with negative contributions from 9 of the 13 subsectors. The fall in manufacturing was followed by falls in mining and quarrying (2.6%) and electricity and gas (1.0%).
| Three months on previous three months | Three months on same three months a year ago | Month on previous month | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sector | Summary description | Growth (%) | Contribution to production (% points) | Growth (%) | Contribution to production (% points) | Growth (%) | Contribution to production (% points) |
| IoP | Index of Production | -0.7 | -0.7 | -1.5 | -1.5 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Sector B | Total mining and quarrying | -2.6 | -0.13 | -6.4 | -0.33 | -4.2 | -0.21 |
| 5 | Coal and lignite | 1.4 | 0.00 | -6.9 | 0.00 | -3.9 | 0.00 |
| 6 | Crude petroleum and natural gas | -3.8 | -0.14 | -7.8 | -0.30 | -5.4 | -0.20 |
| 789 | Other mining and quarrying | 1.0 | 0.01 | -2.1 | -0.03 | -1.0 | -0.01 |
| Sector C | Total manufacturing | -0.7 | -0.52 | -1.5 | -1.16 | 0.2 | 0.17 |
| CA | Food, beverages and tobacco | 1.5 | 0.18 | 1.0 | 0.12 | 0.6 | 0.08 |
| CB | Textiles and leather products | -0.2 | 0.00 | 2.0 | 0.04 | 0.4 | 0.01 |
| CC | Wood, paper and printing | -0.5 | -0.03 | 0.5 | 0.03 | -0.3 | -0.02 |
| CD | Coke and petroleum | -3.4 | -0.03 | -11.7 | -0.10 | 8.6 | 0.06 |
| CE | Chemical products | -2.3 | -0.11 | -4.2 | -0.20 | 0.1 | 0.00 |
| CF | Pharmaceutical products | -4.5 | -0.26 | 3.3 | 0.18 | 2.1 | 0.11 |
| CG | Rubber and plastic products | -2.0 | -0.10 | -5.8 | -0.31 | -0.4 | -0.02 |
| CH | Metal products | -0.8 | -0.06 | -2.3 | -0.19 | -1.6 | -0.13 |
| CI | Computer, electronic and optical | -1.2 | -0.08 | 1.8 | 0.11 | 0.6 | 0.04 |
| CJ | Electrical equipment | -4.7 | -0.09 | 0.0 | 0.00 | -4.3 | -0.08 |
| CK | Machinery and equipment | -1.9 | -0.11 | -5.4 | -0.33 | 0.3 | 0.02 |
| CL | Transport equipment | 1.4 | 0.15 | -2.7 | -0.29 | 0.6 | 0.07 |
| CM | Other manufacturing and repair | 0.5 | 0.03 | -3.2 | -0.22 | 0.5 | 0.03 |
| Sector D | Total electricity and gas | -1.0 | -0.10 | -0.7 | -0.08 | 2.4 | 0.25 |
| 35.1 | Electric power generation, transmission and distribution | 0.0 | 0.00 | 0.4 | 0.03 | 2.0 | 0.16 |
| 35.2-3 | Manufacture of gas; distribution of gaseous fuels through mains; steam and aircon supply | -4.2 | -0.10 | -4.3 | -0.10 | 3.8 | 0.09 |
| Sector E | Total water and waste | 0.2 | 0.02 | 0.5 | 0.04 | -1.2 | -0.11 |
| 36 | Water collection, treatment and supply | 0.7 | 0.02 | -0.4 | -0.01 | -0.9 | -0.03 |
| 37 | Sewerage | -0.4 | -0.01 | -3.9 | -0.13 | 1.2 | 0.04 |
| 38 | Waste collection, treatment and disposal activities; materials recovery | 0.4 | 0.01 | 5.9 | 0.17 | -3.5 | -0.11 |
| 39 | Remediation activities and other waste management services | -1.5 | 0.00 | 3.9 | 0.01 | -5.9 | -0.01 |
Download this table Table 1: Growths and contributions to production, seasonally adjusted estimates, UK, October 2019
.xls .csv
Figure 2: The Index of Production remains below its pre-economic downturn peak
Index of Production rolling three months on previous three months, seasonally adjusted, UK, January 2008 to October 2019
Source: Office for National Statistics – Index of Production
Notes:
- Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2008 to Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2009 – UK economic downturn.
Download this chart Figure 2: The Index of Production remains below its pre-economic downturn peak
Image .csv .xlsFigure 2 shows that growth for the Index of Production (IoP) was more pronounced from the beginning of 2010, as the economy recovered, before a downturn during 2012. Production output in the UK remained 6.2% lower for the three months to October 2019 than the pre-downturn peak for the three months to March 2008. Additionally, the current three-monthly rolling index level is the lowest since November 2016.
Back to table of contents3. Manufacturing
Figure 3: The Index of Manufacturing remains below its pre-economic downturn peak
Index of Manufacturing rolling three months on previous three months, seasonally adjusted, UK, January 2008 to October 2019
Source: Office for National Statistics – Index of Production
Notes:
- Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2008 to Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2009 – UK economic downturn.
Download this chart Figure 3: The Index of Manufacturing remains below its pre-economic downturn peak
Image .csv .xlsFigure 3 shows that growth for the Index of Manufacturing was more pronounced from the beginning of 2010, as the economy recovered, before a downturn during 2012. Manufacturing output in the UK remained 3.5% lower for the three months to October 2019 than the pre-downturn peak for the three months to March 2008. Additionally, the current three-monthly rolling index level is the lowest since December 2016.
For further detail on the longer-term trend within manufacturing, please see the article, Manufacturing sector performance, UK: 2008 to 2018, published on 2 April 2019. The article provides an overview of the changes in the manufacturing sector between 2008 and 2018, focusing on the industries that have grown or shrunk the most.
Total manufacturing output for the three months to October 2019 fell by 0.7%, compared with the three months to July 2019. Of the 13 subsectors, 9 displayed negative contributions, led by:
basic pharmaceutical products, which fell by 4.5% mainly because of significant monthly weakness during August and September 2019
machinery and equipment, which fell by 1.9%, caused by weakness from large businesses
chemicals and chemical products, which fell by 2.3%, partially because of the impact of maintenance and shutdowns
Partially offsetting the cumulative impact from the negative contributions was widespread growth from food, beverages and tobacco, which rose by 1.5%. Within this sector, there was notable strength from meat and meat products (2.9%) and other food products (1.9%), driven by large businesses.
Also providing a notable upward contribution was transport equipment, which increased by 1.4%. Strength within this sector was led by motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers, which rose by 2.7%; this was the third consecutive period of three-monthly growth. Strength here is mainly because of the continuing recovery following a very strong monthly decline in April 2019, rather than any notable growth during the latest three months. This industry is still showing a longer-term decline, as highlighted by the three months on same three months a year ago indicator, which fell by 3.0%.
An article to be published on 10 January 2020 will provide a comparison of the methodologies used to measure motor vehicle manufacturing, using official UK statistics compiled by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and published in the Index of Production (IoP) and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The growth of 0.1% in total manufacturing output in October 2019, compared with September 2019, was mainly because of widespread strength, with 8 of the 13 subsectors displaying upward contributions. The largest of these came from the volatile pharmaceutical products subsector, which rose by 2.1%, following two consecutive periods of significant monthly weakness during August and September 2019.
Elsewhere, smaller positive contributions came from:
food, beverages and tobacco (0.6%) because of widespread strength, led by the impact of large businesses within other food products, which rose by 1.2%
the motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers industry (0.9%), which was impacted by the production of new models
However, these were offset by downward contributions from:
basic metals and metal products (1.6%), driven by weakness within fabricated metal products and basic iron and steel, which fell by 1.5% and 5.3% respectively
electrical equipment, which fell by 4.3% because of cumulative weakness from large businesses
For the three months to October 2019, compared with the same three months to October 2018, total output declined by 1.5%, the seventh consecutive fall for this indicator. The current decline was led by:
machinery and equipment, which fell by 5.4%
rubber and plastic products, which fell by 5.8%
transport equipment, which fell by 2.7%, a continuation of ongoing weakness since August 2018
other manufacturing and repair, which fell by 3.2%; a strong decrease of 18.6% from repair and maintenance of aircraft and spacecraft is a continuation of weakness since February 2018
Partially offsetting overall weakness was long-term strength from the pharmaceutical products subsector (3.3%).
Back to table of contents4. Mining and quarrying
Figure 4: Periods of maintenance during August 2019 is a factor behind recent periods of significant weakness for mining and quarrying
Mining and quarrying, three months on three months a year ago, seasonally adjusted, UK, January 2016 to October 2019
Source: Office for National Statistics – Index of Production
Download this chart Figure 4: Periods of maintenance during August 2019 is a factor behind recent periods of significant weakness for mining and quarrying
Image .csv .xlsThere is a continuation of significant weakness within this sector, with three-monthly output falling by 2.6% and three months on three months a year ago output falling by 6.4% (Figure 4), continuing the trend of a weaker 2019 in comparison to 2018. Both quarterly indicators include periods of maintenance during August 2019, impacting on output for the oil and gas extraction industry.
This weakness is further highlighted by the sector’s monthly output decrease of 4.2%, led by a fall of 5.4% from oil and gas extraction; this is the strongest monthly fall in output since December 2017 for this industry
Back to table of contents5. Electricity and gas
The three-monthly decline of 1.0% was wholly driven by gas supply, which decreased by 4.2%. This fall was largely temperature-driven, with warmer than average temperatures across August and September 2019 reducing demand.
For the three months on three months a year ago indicator, the fall in output of 0.7% was mainly because of gas supply, which fell by 4.3%. This was also partially temperature-driven, with colder than average temperatures across the three months to October 2018 increasing demand in comparison with the same three months to October 2019.
In contrast, monthly output rose by 2.4% for October 2019 because of increased demand for both electricity and gas supply, which rose by 2.0% and 3.8% respectively. The Met Office reported that the provisional UK mean temperature for October 2019 was 9.0 degrees Celsius, which is 0.5 degrees Celsius below the 1981 to 2010 long-term average.
Back to table of contents6. Water and waste
Work carried out on waste treatment projects is the underlying factor behind the strength across the three months on three months a year ago indicator for the waste collection industry, which rose by 5.9%. In contrast, and partially offsetting this growth, was a 3.9% fall for sewerage.
Despite strength in the longer-term indicator within waste supply, monthly output declined by 3.5% for this industry; this was led by weakness from large businesses, driving the overall sector level fall of 1.2%.
Back to table of contents7. Index of Production data
Index of Production time series
Dataset DIOP | Released 10 December 2019
Movements in the volume of production for the UK production industries: manufacturing, mining and quarrying, energy supply, and water and waste management. Figures are seasonally adjusted.
Output of the production industries
Dataset | Released 10 December 2019
Index values and growth rates for production, manufacturing and the main industrial groupings in the UK.
Index of Production and industry sectors to four decimal places
Dataset | Released 10 December 2019
Monthly index values for production and the main Index of Production (IoP) sectors in the UK to four decimal places.
Monthly Business Survey turnover in production industries
Dataset | Released 10 December 2019
Monthly Business Survey (MBS) production industries’ total turnover, domestic sales and exports in the UK. Figures are in current price and non-seasonally adjusted.
Export proportions for manufacturing industries
Dataset | Released 10 December 2019
Monthly, quarterly and annual export data for the manufacturing industries, collected by the MBS at industry level in the UK.
All data related to the IoP are available on the Related data page.
Back to table of contents8. Glossary
Index number
The index number is a measure of the average level of prices, quantities or other measurable characteristics relative to their level for a defined time period or location.
Industrial classification or breakdown
The industrial classification or breakdown is the internationally standardised method for classifying the wide range of industrial sectors in an economy. We use the Standard Industrial Classification 2007 (SIC 2007) for industrial breakdowns.
Manufacturing
The manufacturing sector includes the output of manufacturing industries and is broken down into 13 subsectors.
Monthly Business Survey
The Monthly Business Survey (MBS) collects information on the monthly turnover of UK businesses within the production and service sectors from various industrial sectors and regions in the UK.
Production
The production sector includes the output in the manufacturing (the largest component of production), mining and quarrying, energy supply, and water supply and waste management industries.
Turnover
The turnover of a company is the value of the goods or services sold during a particular time period. It includes total takings or invoiced sales and receipts. Interest and similar income, “other operating income”, and extra ordinary income is excluded. Value Added Tax (VAT) invoiced to the customer is excluded.
Back to table of contents9. Measuring the data
The Index of Production (IoP) uses data from a variety of sources and is calculated by taking turnover and removing the impact of price changes or by using direct volume estimates.
The majority of data are collected as “turnover values” through the Monthly Business Survey (MBS). In addition, direct volume series are collected by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the International Steel Statistics Bureau (ISSB) for steel industries.
From January 2018, Value Added Tax (VAT) data have also been included across 64 production industries for small- and medium-sized businesses. For more information, see VAT turnover data in National Accounts: background and methodology.
A comprehensive list of the IoP source data can be found in the Gross domestic product (GDP(O)) source catalogue (XLS, 715KB).
More quality and methodology information on strengths, limitations, appropriate uses, and how the data were created is available in the UK Index of Production QMI.
Back to table of contents10. Strengths and limitations
Seasonal adjustment
The data published in the Index of Production (IoP) release are all seasonally adjusted (although non-seasonally adjusted estimates are also available). This aids interpretation by removing annually recurring fluctuations, for example, those caused by holidays or other seasonal patterns.
Data volatility
Care should be taken when using the month-on-month growth rates as data can be volatile. Longer-term growth rates and examination of the time series allow for better interpretation of the statistics.
Comparability with UK trade statistics
The Monthly Business Survey (MBS) turnover in production industries dataset produces the proportion of turnover from exports by industry and level of turnover and exports (British Pound, millions). However, this is not always comparable with UK trade statistics. Further information on UK trade and how data on it are compiled can be found in the UK trade release.
Back to table of contents