UK manufacturing slows in November
The Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), a prominent indicator of the manufacturing industry, fell from 53.4 in October to 51.8 in November amid signs of a slowdown in the UK manufacturing sector. When you add this together with the slowdown in the services sector, expected slowdown in the property sector and a lack of overall liquidity in the money markets the signs are there for a further slowdown in the UK in 2010.
It appears that the doomsday scenario of a short rally towards the end of 2009 and then a further fall in 2010 could well be coming true. However, if you look at the recent political indicators the Labour Party has closed the gap on the Conservative Party with a new-found confidence emerging amongst UK votes and UK consumers. Whether this sudden surge in popularity for the Labour Party, on the back of what is seen as a more stable economy, continues towards the end of 2009 and into 2010 is a very pertinent question.
Many people believe that the Labour Party has an opportunity to retain control of parliament at the next election if it is able to at least "give the impression" that the UK economy has recovered and has turned the corner.
Share this..
Related stories
Honda staff agree 3% pay cut to save jobs
It has been revealed that workers at Honda's Swindon factory have agreed a 3% pay cut in order to save nearly 500 jobs at the plant. The deal was brokered by the Unite trade union and sees the package run until March 2010, although significantly, managers have agreed to take a 5% pay cut with all workers now entitled to an extra six days holiday a year. While the deal is still to be voted on by tr...
Read MoreUK economy set to fall by 2.8% in 2009
The International Monetary Fund has today issued a report on a variety of Western governments, Western economies and how they are coping with the ongoing economic difficulties. Yet again the UK has been mentioned as the weakest economy in the developed world with forecasts indicating a 2.8% reduction in the UK economy this year. This is the largest one-year fall since 1946 and a rate which is fast...
Read MoreCould problems in the Eurozone hamper the UK economic recovery?
While officially the UK economy moved out of recession in the final quarter of 2009 there are concerns as to whether the 0.1% increase in economic activity will be downgraded in the short term. On the back of this we now have significant issues within the Eurozone with the Greek economic collapse set to spread to areas such as Spain, Portugal and possibly elsewhere. There is growing concern that w...
Read MoreConservative party plans increase in state pension age
The Conservative party has tonight announced plans to increase the state pension age from 65 to 66 years. If the party gains power at the next general election they would increase the state pension age from 2016 onwards as a way to combat the growing national debt in the UK. The announcement will be officially unveiled by George Osborne at tomorrow's party conference in a move which could save the...
Read MoreLib Dems slam ministerial car travel
Government ministers and officials travelled almost three million miles by car last year, up by more than a fifth on the period before, according to the Liberal Democrats.The party claims that ministerial travel and chauffeur services cost the taxpayer a "massive" £18 million in 2006.According to a House of Commons written reply, vehicles in the Car and Dispatch Agency fleet travelled more than 2...
Read More