fromtheeditor
We may not believe what the politicians (of every shade) tell
us in the light of recent events at home and in Europe, but
– looking at some of the more upbeat news from business
organisations and individual companies in this sector - it is hard
not to feel some sense of optimism about the UK economy.
The latest CBI Industrial
Trends Survey shows
that activity in the UK
manufacturing sector remained
solid in May, and output is
expected to rise strongly in the
next three months.
CBI deputy directorgeneral Katja Hall said the
improvement was down to
increased confidence in the UK
economy, easier access to credit,
and better global economic
conditions.
On the downside, she said
there were, however, risks to
the UK’s outlook from global
developments, including the
“possibility that the situation
in Ukraine and Russia could
impact on global commodity
prices”.
The British Chambers of
Commerce (BCC) upgraded
its growth forecast for 2014
from 2.8% to 3.1%, which, if
achieved, would be the highest
rate since pre-crisis 2007. That
figure is well above the 2.7%
forecast by the Office for Budget
Responsibility (OBR)