UK and German manufacturing expand at fastest pace in years

Berlin

BRITISH manufacturing growth surged to a three-year high in April, adding to signs that factories are enjoying at least a temporary boost ahead of Brexit from the weak pound, a survey showed on Tuesday.

The Markit/CIPS UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 57.3 from 54.2 in March, exceeding all forecasts in a Reuters poll of economists which had pointed to a slight decline to 54.0.