Private sector growth in the West Midlands has stalled, according to a new survey.
Having been the strongest growing in September, the region slipped to sixth out of 12 at the start of the fourth quarter, according to the West Midlands Purchasing Managers Economic Index - produced for the Royal Bank of Scotland by NTC Research.
RBS economist Julien Seetharamdoo said: "Private sector growth in the West Midlands lost notable momentum.
"In particular, new orders came in below the UK average, suggesting that the moderation could continue in November."
It was the steepest slowdown in the growth of business activity in nearly eleven years of data collection.
The seasonally adjusted Business Activity Index tumbled from 60.5 to a nine-month low of 54.8.
There was a substantial weakening in the rate of expansion of new business while growth was the slowest since March 2006 and below the UK average in October.
Jobs were cut, with losses concentrated in the service sector, as mounting wage pressures and weaker gains in new orders encouraged a number of firms to not replace leavers.
However, the overall decline in employment was only marginal.
Anything over 50 means the economy is still expanding.
