last month s purchasing managers index a measure of the health of the economy was 10.9. the figure was well below the 50.3 economists had forecast. faltering activity in the uk was mirrored in the eurozone, where the index fell to a 33 month low of a7. both figures will be closely monitored by bank of england and ecb policymakers ahead of their next interest rate decisions. joining me now is chris williamson, chief business economist at s&p global market intelligence. s&p global is the company behind the pmi data. good to see you. does this mean the uk is heading into a recession? mat uk is heading into a recession? not a recession uk is heading into a recession? iirrt a recession yet, but certainly a downturn. the figures are consistent with the economy contracting midway through the third quarter. we have seenin through the third quarter. we have seen in ice growth the spring after the problems of last autumn with the trust budgets and so forth, but
thousands and thousands of pounds in real terms losses. for the average ambulance worker, its 13% in real terms that they ve lost in their pay packets. so what we are wanting is a commitment towards returning their salaries to what they should have been had they kept pace with inflation and an immediate down payment towards that. ldistort! inflation and an immediate down payment towards that. inflation and an immediate down payment towards that. word a pay deal for next payment towards that. word a pay deal for next year, payment towards that. word a pay deal for next year, delayed - payment towards that. word a pay deal for next year, delayed a - payment towards that. word a pay| deal for next year, delayed a deal, be a way out of this crisis? latent be a way out of this crisis? next ears be a way out of this crisis? next years pay be a way out of this crisis? next years pay deal be a way out of this crisis? next years pay deal is be a way out of this crisis? next years pay