UK

Bank of England cuts interest rates / Officials slash growth outlook / UK in ‘stagflation'?

EUROPEAN ECONOMY

German business confidence drops again / Processor optimism continues lower / Concerns about German, Eurozone recoveries on the rise

EUROZONE ECONOMY

Purchasing managers report improved services / Manufacturing weakens again / German business morale jumps / Swiss central bank kicks off cycle of interest rate cuts

SWITZERLAND

Plastics industry reports good figures / Shortage of skilled workers / Sales gradually approaching record level of 2014 / Proportion of optimists doubles

SWITZERLAND

Broad decline in plastics industry sales in 2015 / Rise in Swiss franc's value leads to 7.5% fall in revenues / Minimal headcount reduction / Plastics waste exports down / Optimistic outlook for 2016

SWITZERLAND

Swiss Plastics industry association fears currency decoupling could have disastrous effect on plastics sector / Calls for better framework conditions / Swiss Packaging Institute says pressure on packaging sector is rising