Employment levels in the UK leather good manufacturing industry remained constant between March and May 2002, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics.

During the period, the leather goods sector provided employment for 8000 - the same as December 2001 - February 2002. The figure was nevertheless 1000 down on March - May 2001.

Employment in the footwear sector was markedly down on December – February 2002, from 11,000 to 10,000.