Britain's exports still suffering

THE CBI's latest survey of small and medium manufacturers shows that orders and output have continued to decline in recent months. But compared with the steep fall after 11 September, the decline has been modest.

There were rising total new orders for 24% of firms over the last four months, while 39% have seen them fall. But there has been a bigger-than-expected drop in export orders, with medium-sized firms suffering the strongest deterioration in export confidence.