The survey of 505 firms found that export order books reached a two-year high, suggesting that the depreciation of sterling since the end of last year may be feeding through to stronger overseas demand. Chemical manufacturers accounted for just over half the improvement in export orders, with less than one-third of the 17 manufacturing sub-sectors reporting export orders at below normal levels.

Price expectations for the three months to November rose to their highest since February 2015, perhaps in response to the rise in the cost of imported raw materials following sterling's depreciation.