Surveys show output falling faster

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} Output fell and factory jobs were cut at a record rate in the UK in February, according to a survey by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.   The latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) shows employment and output levels at their lowest since the survey began in 1992. The index fell to 34.7 last month from 35.8 in January.   A figure below 50 indicates a contraction, and February's results means the sector has now contracted for 10 months in a row.   A separate report from the industry body EEF said that 140,000 manufacturing jobs could be lost this year. The EEF's survey found production and orders had hit record lows during the first two months of 2009.   The EEF survey, which canvassed 782 firms, forecast that manufacturing output would fall by 8.6 percent in 2009, with a growth of just 0.2 percent in 2010.   The EEF's chief economist, Steve Radley, said demand from both domestic and international markets had shown steep declines, making the past three months "extremely difficult for manufacturers".   "Few firms expect things to get better in the near future but they are also focusing on making sure they are ready to take advantage of the eventual recovery," he said.   The West Midlands was the hardest hit region, with the decline linked closely to the motor industry. The East Midlands and eastern England also reported sharp falls in production levels.   *┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á *┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á *