The UK economy remained in a severe downturn during May, although the pace of the slump moderated from April’s crash.
The IHS Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) found that some companies are benefiting from the easing of Covid-19 lockdown measures around the world. However, those dealing face-to-face with customers are extremely concerned that social distancing measures will hold them back and push up costs.
The index, which combines activity from the services and manufacturing sectors, rose to 30.0 in May, up from 13.8 in April. A reading below the 50.0 divide indicates economic contraction.
At 29.0, the dominant services sector – which does not include retailing or many of the self-employed – had the second-worst month on record after April’s crash to 13.4. Some companies saw new orders from the Asia-Pacific region, but many others lost orders as clients slashed spending.
“Consumer demand also remains very subdued, with large areas of the service economy still in the planning stage of restarting business operations,” IHS economics director Tim Moore said.
First Minister gives support to redundant Rolls-Royce workers
The Scottish Government will "continue to do everything we possibly can" to support hundreds of workers laid off at a Rolls-Royce factory in Renfrewshire, Nicola Sturgeon said.
Around 700 jobs are expected to be axed in Inchinnan as part of plans to shed 9,000 staff globally. The Scottish factory, which creates compressor blades and seals for planes, currently employs about 1,300 people.
Responding to Scottish Labour MSP Neil Bibby during First Minister's Questions, Ms Sturgeon said: "News the workers at Rolls-Royce in Inchinnan will have got this morning is absolutely devastating and my thoughts are very much with them and their families today.
"The Scottish Government will continue to do everything we possibly can to get a more positive outcome to this.”
Mental health discrimination in Scottish legal sector
Almost a quarter of legal professionals in Scotland have seen or are aware of mental health stigma and discrimination at their work, according to a survey.
More than 1,200 people responded to a joint survey by the Law Society of Scotland and mental health charity See Me, which revealed fears of being passed over for promotion and negative reactions if mental health troubles are aired at work.
A total of 24% of respondents had observed or been otherwise made aware of stigmatising attitudes towards mental health in their organisation. Around the same proportion, 23%, said the same about discriminatory behaviour.
Just under one in three of those surveyed (31%) did not feel they could disclose their mental health problem without fear of being moved to another post or passed over for promotion. Some 45% said they would not want to speak about their mental health in work for fear of the reaction from managers, while 37% said the same about the reaction from colleagues.
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