"Figures for the last quarter of 2011 and the first quarter of this year are likely to show that we are back in recession and we are going to have to wait until this summer before there are any signs of improvement”, said Professor Peter Spencer, chief...

The economist behind a major national report published today, which warns that the UK is already in technical recession, has called on the region’s firms to face up to the challenges of breaking into new markets beyond Europe if they are to survive 2012.

Research (CEBR) also warn that unemployment will rise to nearly three million as private firms fail to recruit enough staff to offset job losses in the public sector. The CEBR says the situation is so dire that interest rates will stay on hold until 2016.

The warnings come shortly after France, the second biggest economy in the eurozone, saw its AAA credit rating downgraded by Standard & Poor's (S&P) in a move which signals more troubles for the single currency bloc. Professor Peter Spencer, chief...

10 of those who can work. The gloomy prognosis from the influential think tank is worse than its previous forecast that the figure would peak at 2.7million in the wake of the recession. However, with business confidence faltering, investment and...

Manchester Evening News sports editor Peter Spencer will be online at 12 noon today to discuss all the latest hot topics, including United's poor form going into Sunday's derby. The webchat will take place within our rolling sports blog. Feel free to...