Weaker pound helps boost UK factory output for fifth month in a row

Statistics also show better trade performance, but construction has officially fallen into recession

A weaker pound and a pick up in the global economy helped deliver the fifth straight monthly rise in UK factory output in September, providing a much-needed boost to Philip Hammond ahead of his budget later this month.

After a bruising period for the government, the improved performance by manufacturing will provide the chancellor with tentative evidence that the economy is edging out of the period of slow growth which has persisted since the start of the year.

Related: Shortage of factory workers starts to push up pay rates