Even the most patient observer must have wondered whether it would ever show up. Finally, though, it looks like Britain is on the brink of the boom promised by Brexiteers.

The evidence can be found in factories across the land, which are sharing in the recent dose of optimism at Scunthorpe steelworks (above).

The manufacturing sector is reporting its strongest order books for 30 years, a CBI survey confirmed last week. Exports are the driving force, with the increase in overseas orders over the past two months the sharpest seen since 1995.

The collapse in the value of the pound since last year’s vote to leave the European Union has driven up the price of imports, leading to a surge in inflation and a tighter