Weaker demand saw Yorkshire & Humber firms suffer another monthly fall in new business in December, a new temperature test of the regional economy suggests. The pace of contraction - the second fastest of the 12 UK regions and nations - slowed last month, according to the findings of the NatWest Yorkshire & Humber PMI Business Activity Index which surveys the manufacturing and service sectors. Business leaders cited subdued demand partly due to a sluggish UK economy towards the end of last year. But combined output of the sectors indicated a steadier period as December brought a third successive month of rises from 48.4 to 50.0,…
