British manufacturing has enjoyed an increase in orders in the past few months, a rise driven by strong international demand. However, despite the healthy picture on exports, business confidence among manufacturers has become “depressed” as a result of the deteriorating economic outlook, the CBI has said. A survey of almost 500 companies by the CBI revealed that businesses in virtually every region of the UK planned to increase their prices over the next three months. Companies in Yorkshire and the Humber, Wales and the
East Midlands led the way in winning more exports, but those in Northern Ireland, the North East and the North reported a drop in overseas demand. Every region of the UK reported a decline in general business confidence, especially in Northern Ireland and the West Midlands. Lai Wah Co, the principal economist of the CBI, said: “Most UK regions still feel able to raise their prices to help ease the pressure on profit margins.” (PA)