Today's industrial production figures, for August, looked disappointing, with falls of 0.5% for overall output and 1.2% for manufacturing but they followed big jumps, of 2.8% and 3.1% respectively, in July. Industrial production in July-August was 1.4% up on the second quarter average, while manufacturing was up 1% on the same basis, suggesting a significant contribution to growth from both in the third quarter. More details here.

The National Institute of Economic and Social research, here, suggests GDP rose by 0.8% in the third quarter, though some of that reflects a bounceback from the Jubilee-affected second quarter. It rightly points out that underlying growth in both quarters was probably 0.2% to 0.3%.

There was bad news on trade today, with the deficit widening to £4.2 billion in August, from £1.7 billion in July. The size of the trade deficit is worrying, particularly given the advantages of a competitive pound. Behind the statistical noise there is an underlying deterioration. More here.