The start of the second quarter saw a solid improvement in the performance of the UK manufacturing sector. Rates of expansion in output, total new orders and new export work all gathered pace, underpinned by robust business confidence and driving further job creation.

The seasonally adjusted Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers' Index rose to a three-year high of 57.3 in April, up from March's four-month low of 54.2. Survey data were collected 11-25 April. The PMI has signalled expansion for nine months in a row. The last time the PMI registered below its no-change mark was July 2016, the month following the EU referendum result.