Jobs growth boosts UK's small manufacturers
Despite flat export orders, Britain's SMEs have reported the fastest rate of jobs growth in the sector since records began in October 1988.
According to the CBI's latest SME Trends Survey, domestic orders and output both rose strongly in the three months to July.
Firms' optimism about their general business situation also rose, but to a lesser extent than in the last quarter.
Katja Hall, CBI deputy director-general, said: "Smaller manufacturers are settling into a regular growth pattern, with their order books and output growing for the fourth consecutive quarter.
"But export orders have underperformed this quarter, which may in part be because of the strength of Sterling. We need the government to get behind our SMEs to help them to sell their products and services to new markets around the world, giving a sustainable boost to long term growth."
