NIESR’s forecast that the economy grew by 0.1pc in the three months to March came on the back of strong manufacturing data for February that had already allayed analysts’ worst fears. Sterling jumped in early trading on rising hopes that the country would dodge an unprecedented third technical recession in less than five years. Confidence in the recovery had already been helped by a strong rebound in manufacturing in February, as output jumped by 0.8pc – double economists’ forecasts – following January’s disastrous, weather-affected 1.5pc collapse. The broader measure of industrial production also bounced back by ... (full story)