The data echoes a strong reading from Markit's PMI output index for February.
The output index slumped to a record low of 41.2 from 47.6.
Chris Williamson (@WilliamsonChris) April's PMI Output Index for UK manufacturing was the 3rd highest ever (since 1992).
The factory output index also rose to its highest in more than 15 years, hitting 61.9 from 59.8 in February.
The monthly output indices showed that activity fell in May and rose only slightly in June, with almost all of the second quarter's growth coming in April.
4.15pm GMT Here's a round-up from Markit of the manufacturing and services PMIs country by country: Markit Economics (@MarkitEconomics) Global All-Industry Output Index at 53.9 in January.
Today, the government released figures showing that the nation's so-called output index had fallen to its lowest level in seven years.
The key eurozone PMI composite output index, measuring both manufacturing and services, plunged this month at its fastest pace for two years – from 49.1 to 47.2.
The BDO's output index – a measure of orders that firms have on hand – slumped to 99.7 last month, from 100.6 in April.
Manufacturing and services output indices by country here: pic.twitter.com/NwCS0I4OlF February 5 , 20143.33pm GMT Back with the Anglo Irish trial (see earlier) and some interesting details have emerged.
