Predictably, employment levels in the UK leather goods and footwear manufacturing industries dropped again between September 2001 and 2002.

According to figures released this week by the Office of National Statistics, employment in the sector declined by 2,800 during the period to 16,500. Of the total, 1,300 jobs were shed by the leather and leather goods sector and 1,400 by footwear manufacturers.

Official figures show that almost 28 million people are currently employed in Britain, an all-time high since records began. The outlook is however gloomy for the manufacturing industries, which have experienced the brunt of national job cuts. 

Share this story: