Industrial production flat in Britain

Industrial production was flat in Britain May to June, but down 0.3 percent on an annual basis, the Office of National Statistics said Tuesday. Manufacturing over the same period rose 2.1 percent, ONS said. Compared to May 2011, however, industrial production was unchanged, while manufacturing fell 0.4 percent. Compared to May 2011, production in mining and quarrying in Britain rose 0.8 percent in June. Energy supply output rose 2 percent with gains in electricity and gas offset slightly by a decrease in water output. In the manufacturing sector, output increased in eight of 13 manufacturing groups, falling in five others. Transportation manufacturing rose 5.6 percent in June over May, while production at machinery and equipment firms rose 6.1 percent.