Confidence on the rise despite fall in output

OUTPUT levels at East Midlands firms fell again in November, according to the latest NatWest Regional Growth Tracker, but business confidence was higher.

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At 48.7 midway through the fourth quarter, the headline NatWest East Midlands Business Activity Index was down slightly from 49.8 in October and signalled another monthly decline in output at regional companies.

Elsewhere, new orders continued to contract, and firms cut workforce numbers amid reduced pressure on capacity.