Manufacturing jobs hit five-year low

INDUSTRIAL employment has plunged to its lowest level in over five years as the high-technology sector suffers badly, shock new figures disclose.

This follows the seasonally adjusted loss of 3,100 jobs in the first three months of 2003, cutting the total number of manufacturing jobs to 248,500, a level not seen since early 1997.

Employment gains made during the boom years have been almost wiped out at this stage, analysts said.