UK manufacturing will continue to suffer in 2016, warns BCC

British Chambers of Commerce says sector 'close to stagnation' after domestic and export sales fall to below pre-recession levels

Manufacturing exports slumped at the end of last year, and will continue to suffer in 2016, leaving Britain with a two tier economy that relies on consumer spending to drive growth, a leading business group has warned.

The British Chambers of Commerce said a survey of 7,500 firms found that manufacturing fared worse than the services sector and was "close to stagnation" after domestic and export sales fell to below their pre-recession levels in 2007.