UK manufacturing grew at its slowest rate in seven months during March as firms failed to mirror signs of recovery from counterparts in Europe.
Companies cut jobs while rates of growth in production and new orders cooled, says the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.
As employment fell for the 12th successive month energy bills soared.
Also, there was low demand from the domestic and export markets.
The institute's barometer for manufacturing activity fell from 51.5 in February to 50.8 in March.
The equivalent eurozone measure saw a 1.6-point jump to a seven-year high of 56.1.
