Business activity improved in all but one of the nine English regions last month amid an upturn in new orders, a survey revealed today.
Yorkshire & Humber recorded the fastest growth in the Lloyds TSB Regional Purchasing Managers’ Index, while only the North East saw lower output.
David Oldfield, Lloyds director for SME and mid markets banking, said the survey erased fears that private sector output at the start of the year would be disrupted by the heavy snowfall in January. The greatest volumes of new orders were seen in London and Yorkshire & Humber.
Increased client demand also helped spur a return to net job creation across the English regions, with the South East and Yorkshire & Humber reporting the greatest improvements in employment.
Staffing levels remained stable in the North East and North West, while the South West witnessed a moderate drop in workforce numbers.
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