CBI reports slowdown in factory production

Just one fifth of firms have increased production in past three months with weak export market holding back output, survey shows

Fresh evidence of an easing in Britain's growth rate was highlighted by the CBI when it said manufacturers were expending production at their slowest rate in more than two years.

The quarterly snapshot of industry from the employers' organisation, ahead of first quarter GDP figures on Tuesday, reported that firms were less upbeat than they were at the turn of the year and were mothballing investment plans.