UK manufacturers' expectations fall to 28-year low

British manufacturers' expectations about output are the weakest for nearly 30 years because of falling demand resulting from the economic slowdown, Britain's largest employers' group said Wednesday.

The Confederation of British Industry said its survey of 530 manufacturers, conducted between Oct. 23 and Nov. 12, showed that 56 percent expect output to fall over the coming three months, while 14 percent expect it to rise. The remainder expect it to remain roughly flat.

The resulting minus 42 percent balance is the lowest it has been since 1980.

"With a sharper and more prolonged U.K. recession in prospect, conditions are going to remain tough for some time," said Ian McCafferty, the group's chief economic adviser.

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