YORKSHIRE firms reported a robust rise in output last month, said a survey today.
The latest Lloyds TSB Purchase Managers’ Index showed that the region was the top performer of out 12 UK regions for the second month running.
New business rose at a solid pace following November’s marginal contraction while recruitment increase was at its fastest rate since March.
With costs falling slightly, private sector firms reported higher business activity for the fourth successive month in December as the rate of expansion accelerated to a nine-month high.
The headline Lloyds TSB Yorkshire and Humber Business Activity Index – which measures the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – registered 57.2 in December against 54.2 in November.
Output rose for both manufacturing and services, with the latter posting the steeper rate of growth.
The volume of outstanding work continued to fall in December.
