EU referendum fears weighing on company orders and investment

BDO's output index is the lowest since September 2013 amid worries over the negative impact of a vote to leave the EU

Orders among UK firms have fallen to their lowest level for almost three years as growing worries over this month's EU referendum hit the British economy.

Accountancy firm BDO reports that company investment is flatlining, forcing them to rein in their hiring plans. It fears that economic growth could fall sharply unless firms bolster their investment plans later this year.

Related: Bank of England in preparations for potential Brexit