By Chris Dorrell The UK’s manufacturing sector recorded growth for the first time since July 2022, according to a closely watched survey, as the long downturn in the sector appears to be coming to an end. S&P’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the manufacturing sector showed a reading of 50.3 in March, up from 47.5 in February and higher than the earlier ‘flash’ estimate of 49.9. PMIs measures activity in the private sector. The 50 mark separates growth from contraction. Output and new orders for manufacturing firms increased for the first time in a year helping business optimism about the…