Deteriorating economic conditions, including “intense” costs pressures on firms, saw business activity continue to fall across the South West last month, new data shows. New business placed with private sector companies operating in the region declined sharply in November, according to a survey by NatWest.
The bank's South West PMI Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors - signalled a fourth successive monthly decline in output.
Bosses told researchers the lower output was linked to a weak economic climate, rising prices and subsequent cuts to client spending.
