Latest figures show competitiveness with EU at record high, according to CBI Quarterly Industrial Trends Survey.

Manufacturing output and orders grew over the last quarter, with export volumes growth the strongest for two and half years, according to the latest quarterly CBI Industrial Trends Survey.

The survey of 459 manufacturers reveals that competitiveness in EU markets rose at the fastest pace since the series began in 2000, with competitiveness outside the bloc also improving at the quickest rate since 2009.

Domestic demand grew modestly, while export orders rose for the first time in over a year. The outlook for demand over the next three months is generally positive, with export orders expected to rise further, along with more modest growth in domestic orders. But concerns persist about the availability of skilled labour, with almost a quarter of respondents observing that skilled labour availability could limit output over the next few months.