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 recessionA 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