Despite the fact that the sentiment within British manufacturing fell towards the end of 2010, and the price of materials continued to rise, the number of people employed in the sector showed an unexpected increase in the final quarter of last year.

The Confederation of British Industries (CBI) has reported that the number of people employed in manufacturing in the UK has risen by 11 per cent in the quarter.

This marked the sixth quarter in a row where manufacturing jobs saw a positive movement in the country.

Across 2012 though, the CBI expects to see manufacturing employment remain stable, with a one per cent fall seen if anything, but the EEF recently reported that if it wants to grow even further, it could do so by turning to emerging markets to find more work.

Ian McCafferty, CBI chief economic adviser, said: "It is clear from this survey that conditions in UK manufacturing remain fragile."

Posted by Alex Donnell