Gloomiest export outlook in almost four years among UK manufacturers

Strong pound and eurozone crisis mean more companies expect overseas orders to fall rather than rise, according to CBI poll

A strong pound and turmoil in the eurozone have left British manufacturers feeling gloomiest for almost four years on demand for exports, according to a business survey.

In the latest evidence that exporters are facing a number of challenges, the CBI's latest quarterly snapshot of manufacturers suggested new overseas orders picked up in the three months to July but that the outlook is gloomier. It highlighted the rise in sterling, which continues to make UK goods more expensive to overseas buyers.