Britain’s manufacturing and mining sector output in the last quarter of 2005 was at its lowest figure for 10 years since 1995, according to the latest government figures.

Manufacturing output dropped 1% in the last quarter, while in 2005 as a whole, the sector dropped 0.8% - the first annual decline since 2002, reported the Office for National Statistics.

David Kern, economic adviser to the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Manufacturing remains firmly in negative territory. The sector’s acute underlying weaknesses reinforce our view that the authorities must act forcefully to support the sector.”