PRODUCTION STILL ON A PLATEAU by an economics correspontent
The figures issued by the Central Statistical Office on October 21st revealed that ‘Ifidex number for industrial production had remained static at 127 - it has been at this level since January. The figure for manufacturing stayed put at 128 - this has only shown one movement since January. This was in May when it jumped one point. These figures cover up to August and show just how far the Tories were from achieving their 4% growth target. dAs they were combined © with a decrease in unemployment it means that productivity must have gone down in this period. This forms the essential background to the economic mess the Tories left for Labour to take over.