YORKSHIRE businesses have made “solid gains” in new orders and productivity, according to a report today .

But the latest Purchase Managers’ Index from Lloyds TSB said output growth weakened during April while respondents continued to come under strong inflationary pressures.

The headline Business Activity Index – which measures the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – stood at 53.6 in April, down from 57.9 in March.

Although output expanded for the 23rd successive month, the rate of growth was the slowest since January last year.

New order growth remained strong for both manufacturers and service providers.