Quarter results show that output in the beleaguered manufacturing sector has continued to lag putting workers jobs on the line.
The latest CBI and Experian regional trends survey based on responses from 770 companies report that Northern Ireland, the West Midlands and the Northeast have suffered the most.
Manufacturing in the West Midlands remains particularly gloomy. Business and export confidence deteriorated while expectations for output were the most depressed in Britain. Firms said orders are on a steady downward path and unit costs are rising faster than any other region.
A further 22,000 jobs are expected to go despite Wales, the Southwest and Yorkshire and Humber reporting rising employment over the last six months.
London and the South East have continued to shed jobs.
Doug Godden, CBI Head of Economic Analysis said: “The impact of rising costs on profitability is a major issue for the second survey in succession. We know from the national results that energy-intensive and metal-related industries are being hit hardest.
“The regional pattern reflects this, with the West Midlands and northern regions of England seeing the sharpest cost increases. It is critical that the Bank of England and the Treasury take note. Now is not the time for further increases in interest rates or rises in business taxation.”
